Project 802-3
 
 


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How do I braid metal?
Wire Woven (Kumihimo) and
Art Clay Silver Bracelet

By: Jackie Truty
Sponsor: Art Clay World USA, Inc

For more information visit:



www.artclayworld.com

How To TV Online subscribers, watch the video for this project online at howtotvonline.com

 

Materials Needed:
10gm Art Clay Silver Low Fire Slow Dry Clay
1 pr. 980SV hook and eye clasp
80 ft. 28gauge round fine silver wire
10gm Art Clay Silver Paste Type
Non-stick work surface
Paint brush
Kumihimo foam weaving disc
Twist tie or short (4 in. piece of yarn)
Masking tape
Roller
Craft knife
Metal files
Stainless steel brush
Sanding discs
Food dehydrator, hair blower or toaster oven
Butane torch or Programmable kiln
Firing brick
Small wire cutter
Small flat nose pliers
Tweezers
Tumbler with stainless steel shot (optional)
Agate burnisher
Pical Care silver polish
Soft polishing cloth
Instructions:

Preparing the Wire
1) Cut wire into 2 foot sections. Group into 4 bundles of 10 wires. At each end of each bundle, slightly twist about 1/2” of the wire ends and cover with a ½” of masking tape.
2) Fold each bundle in half and place the center of the first bundle over the center hole; hook one end of the wires through slit #1, and the other end through slit #15. Make sure the wires are taut across the disc.
3) Place the second bundle just as the first, hooking one end through slit #32 and the other end through slit #16. These first two bundles should be parallel, next to each other.
4) Turn the disc 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Mark the center of the last two bundles and place over the center hole as before. Hook one end of these last two bundles through slit #9 and the other end through slit #25.
5) Take the last bundle and center it over the center hole of the disc, with one end hooked through slit #8 and the other end through slit #24.
6) Use the twist tie or yarn and loop the ends diagonally through the center hole of the disc, gathering the wires together on the underside of the Kumihimo disc and twisting or tying them together snuggly. This is where the woven wire will drop down as you weave.

Weaving the Bracelet
7) Hold onto the center of the wires beneath the disc, where they are joined, with your left (non-dominant) hand. You will have to hold on tightly when you weave to create a tightly woven bracelet. To create the round of weaving, move the wires in slot#1 to slot #14, so they are next to the wires in slot #15. Then take the wires in slot #15 and move them straight up into now empty slot #1.
8) Next, take the wires in slot #32 and move them straight down to the now-empty slot #15 and then move the wires in slot #16 straight up and hook them into the now-empty slot #32. Turn the entire disc 90 degrees counter-clockwise. You are ready to begin the same process all over again.
9) Repeat this pattern, keeping each group of wires taut and keeping the tension underneath the disc with your other hand as uniform as possible. After each group of weaving, you will turn the entire disc 90 degrees. This creates the pattern of the wire.
10) Continue weaving the bracelet until only the very ends of the taped bundles fit in each slot.

Adding Art Clay Silver
11) Remove the bundles from the slots and slide the finished bracelet through the center hole of the disc.
12) Twist the wires together above the last woven part of the bracelet and use the wire cutter to cut the excess wires off, leaving approx. ½” of raw end. Use the flat nose pliers to tighten the twist so the wires don’t unravel.
13) Use the pliers to twist the other end of the bracelet, removing the twist tie or yarn first. You want to have approx. ½” of tapered, twisted wire at each end to accommodate the hollow ends of the hook and eye clasp.
14) Test the fit of the hook part of the clasp on one end of the bracelet, making sure the connection is secure. Remove the finding and put some Paste Type over the end of the wire.
15) Open the package of clay and cut in half. Wrap half in plastic wrap, return to the package and close. From the remaining half (5gm) of clay, remove a small, pea-sized pinch of clay. Push the clay over the pasted end of the wire and work it into the woven part of the bracelet. Push the hollow end of the hook back over the clay and twist to secure. Smooth any excess clay that oozes out over the edge of the hook and into the wires. Make sure there is a slight bend in the design to follow the natural curve of the bracelet.
16) Place the remaining 5gm of clay on the non-stick work surface and, using the roller, roll a strip of clay out. Cover the end of the hook and the wires with the clay and smooth to remove trapped air and seams. Continue to smooth with the paintbrush and a small amount of water or Paste Type.
17) Repeat with the other end of the bracelet and the “eye” part of the clasp, using the remaining 5gm of clay. Make sure the hook and eye are placed so that they will close properly after firing. Dry thoroughly.
18) File and sand the dried clay using the hand file and sanding sponge until smooth. Do not overfile or sand to expose the wires and seams.
19) To fire with a torch, fold the bracelet in half so the two ends are next to each other. Or, you can fire each end separately. Make sure that you do not begin timing for 2 minutes until you see a salmon-colored glow from the metal. After two minutes, allow to cool completely. If using a kiln, fire at 1200 F. for 30 minutes.
20) Brush with stainless steel brush. You can produce a shine by tumbling with stainless steel shot, water and cleaner for at least 1 ½ hours, or by using an agate burnisher. Finish with a polishing cloth and a small amount of silver polish.

 

Project Images:
Guest:

Jackie Truty


 
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