Newest Jig
This Newest jig is probably more of where I should have started since I have a small following of folks wanting to learn this art. The whole concept of the first lesson was to drive home the point that there is always endless possibilities and simple concepts of approach when it comes to doing something like this. Let's go have some fun and get creative. The Picture below is a simple piece made from a piece of 5 inch by 4 inch scrap. I kept the pattern simple and based on a four inch square.Then used a 1/16th drill bit for all the holes and spaced at 1/4 inch apart. There are hundreds of patterns that are just waiting to be tried and brought to market. Why go out and spend $200-300 outfitting yourself with multiple jigs when you can make your own?
This would be a great way to go for beginners to build a piece of jewelry for the Lightning Ridge jewelry competition. Demonstrations will be coming shortly.
Ok, now it's time to get to the demonstration. Drum roll please.... I Put the first 4 pins in a diamond shape and commenced to wrapping with my gold-filled wire (1st Pic). I went round the pattern twice, and if you'll notice, I do have varied length on my pins for a reason you will see shortly. In picture No.5 I added another pin and brought the wire around and down.
Alright we've got a simple placement of pegs and a nice pattern going for a pendant, this takes about 15-20 minutes, That's how simple it is. I mentioned those long pegs and why we have them is so we can raise the wrap off the surface in order to securely (temporarily) tie together the wire around the diamond shape so the form will hold it's shape. You can do alot with the hole patterns that are on the jig. You can always add to them, more lines,more holes, arcs, crescents and the list goes on. I will be covering other simple shapes over the next few days, Check back soon.