My Pliers Have Callouses

I've been wrapping wire for years using just my pliers. I was a purist. I could do anything a little board with pegs could do, right? Ahem. Wrong. Well, okay not totally wrong,but it takes me hours to create the intricate designs I want to make in wire when I can do them in a fraction of the time with this little gizmo: Wig Jig Delphi Clear Acrylic Jewelry Wire Wrapping Tool. I bought one last night. It's on the way.

For four years I've avoided Wigjig. Why? Because while browsing the Etsy community late at night, which is when I do most of my browsing and surfing, I stumbled upon a post by an artisan who had some truly lovely wire designs in her studio. Then I read her post. For some reason it stuck to me like glue, and that might be because I truly AM a purist. She stated: "MY designs are all HANDMADE with PLIERS. Everyone else is using a Wigjig and saying they're making their own wire wrap designs. They're not. They've got a toy to do it. I do it the RIGHT way."

I'm surprised I can still quote it - but I can, so that's how much of an impact her statement had on me. I knew I was skilled enough to create the same types of intricate designs that she was creating, and I AM skilled enough. I've been doing it for four years, my pliers have callouses and it's just plain narrow-minded to believe that because one uses a TOOL that makes life easier they are doing something the wrong way.

You still have to work at using the jig. It takes practice, and I suggest starting with some cheap brass wire first. Tomorrow you'll be able to find some in both my stores: ArgentSol on Artfire and ArgentSol on Etsy. 40 yard spools of - well, I can't remember what gauge right now - but I'll look it up tomorrow prior to listing - brass wire for $6.50. That's a steal. I haven't seen that quantity on the web, outside of my wholesaler (who requires a tax ID number to order) for less than $8.00. Tack shipping onto that (I don't charge shipping on any order up to 13 ounces)and you've got a mighty expensive spool of wire. But I digress.

I've decided to also buy this book: Making Wire Jewelry: 60 Easy Projects in Silver, Copper & Brass because I've been wrapping by the seat of my pants and I want to learn correct techniques. I also want to learn NEW techniques. I have a gorgeous cobalt blue crystal sphere and I want to create a lacy, filagree-look hanging "basket" for it in sterling silver. I'm going to practice with the cheap brass wire, first though. I'll post photos when I'm successful.

Take a look at the two items I posted here. I think you'll find them invaluable, whether you're a hobbyist artisan or a professional artisan.

'Nuff said. I need to get to bed.