by Cindy.
(Cedar Springs, Michigan USA)
I decided to do this post in hopes of bringing some inspiration and encouragement to those who are unsure or perhaps doubt the extent of their ability to get their hands to accomplish what their creative mind sees.
Honestly I didn’t ever think I would let anyone ever see some of my first pieces of wire work but I’ve decided to show that perseverance can pay off.
Even when your hands are saying,…NO,…NO…..your creative drive pushes you forward. So the first photos are of the very first wire wraps I did by myself.
The silver one is what I tried to do by myself without any instruction. The curly cue copper pendant is the first pendant I tried to do after my first class of wire wrapping.
I was so disappointed. What I saw in my mind and what I made with my hands just didn’t seem to gel. But I am here to say that patience and perseverance is your friend when attempting wire wrapping.
A wonderful quote that I came across says it so eloquently, ” When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”– Author Unknown.
If you really love what you’re doing but are struggling with seeing the results you really want, don’t give up.
When I felt like giving up I searched out new strategy’s for refining my work. I took a class, I purchased videos, I’ve spent hours searching online for helpful ideas on how to perfect my work and then I practiced, A LOT!
There will always be times when your mind or hands seem like they took a trip off to ” I have no idea what you want from me!” land,…. But that too shall pass if you don’t quit.
One other thing,…do NOT compare your work with others. As far as I’m concerned when dealing with jewelry, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
If you are making jewelry because it taps into the “artsy” part of you, that’s great! If you are making jewelry because you are really only a little “artsy” but you simply love jewelry and it makes you feel good to wear something you made yourself. Then GO for it!
Believe it or not,…practice does not “always” make perfect. It does help in learning to master a skill, but in the long run, the definition to success is defined by the individual, not the rest of the world.
Cindy
SimplyWired4U at Etsy
Simply Wired on Facebook
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Cindy, thanks so much for this great post. I so agree about the importance of patience and perseverance when it comes to developing wireworking skills (and most other jewelry skills too). Often the most beautiful things require effort and practice, and in the end, they’re worth it. Your wirework is lovely.
I think it’s also good to feel comfortable with unexpected wirework outcomes – I find that serendipity (happy accidents) in jewelry design can sometimes be better than what I originally had in mind. 🙂
I really, really needed to read this. Thank you.
Hi Cindy,
Just read your latest post about wire working, WOW!, did you hit the nail on the head for me. Even though I am a Senior (Ahem!), this is happening to me with wire work, after years of both jewelry making and selling. I joined Rena’s Newsletter just yesterday and asked if she had a solution to some wire work. She was kind enough to answer in just a few hours and guide me to some tips she used. Now you have given me hope that I am not the only one whose hands will need a lot of practice to coordinate with my minds ideas.
Thank you for the encouragement.
Susan
Thank you Cindy for the inspiration and reminder about being patient and sticking with it. I love the quote you shared, I’m taping it right above where I work as a reminder. Your wire work is beautiful, thanks for sharing with us.
This couldn’t have come at a better time. I had lost my jewelry-making mojo, seeing all the perfect, complicated wraps others have done. People who post these gorgeous pics state, “This is my first try!” and I feel as if I will never even get to that level. I look over my vast stash of beautiful yet husband-aggravating stones (“Can’t you move these somewhere else?” he complains) and think I have wasted lots of hard-earned money on a hobby in which I have no talent. An artist friend of mine posted something on FB that gets me through hard times, however. It goes something like, “The six steps of art: 1. This will be awesome! 2. This is hard. 3. This is doodoo! (feel free to edit, Rena) 4. I am doodoo! 5. I think I can make this work 6. This is awesome!” Thanks for the article! I will get back to working on my lovely stones.
Practice makes perfect – especially in your case!
Cindy what beautiful wire wrapped jewelry! Obviously your perserverance has paid off in gorgeous works of art. You are inspiring.
Really good timing for me..had all but decided to throw in the towel with my jewelry making due to lack of interest and sales.
For the first time in years, I have not even attempted to make anything.
I have decided to just do it, not for the purpose of selling, but for the pleasure of making something, not only for family and friends, but me too 🙂
Your wrapping is absolutely stunning!
I am so humbled by all the sweet responses from everyone. Reading all of them has been an encouragement for me as well. Just to bare a bit of my soul for a moment, but ever since my mom passed away 2 years ago things have been a struggle for me. Having my jewelry to work on has been so therapeutic for me. And connecting with others like all of you is a huge bonus and such a blessing! Thank you all!
Exactly! If IS therapeutic!
I waited for years to try wire wrapping as it looked so complicated. When I started teaching beginning jewelry classes, I knew I had to learn or how could I teach others. I didn’t particularly care for all the fussy wraps and spirals, so when I saw other artists using wire more free form, I was intrigued. Then I discovered it isn’t as hard as I made it out to be. Of course my wraps have evolved like everyone else’s work, and I’m no where near perfect, but I actually enjoy wire wrapping now. I have silver and gold wire saved for some special projects but for now use artistic craft wire, which I love. I prefer 20 gauge but have been using 16-18 gauge for findings (clasps and jump rings) with great success.
I kept hearing/reading ~ let the wire tell you where it wants to go. This is so true. Every time I’ve tried to force the wire to do something I think it should do, it ends up looking wonky (love that term/word). When I kind of ask it what it wants to look like, it ends up being prettier than I could have imagined. Good luck to everyone who is encouraged by these posts, it’s a journey and we are there to share your joy and progress.