Jewellery Making

Contribution from Active Citizens Partnership, Greece

Materials:

Metal wire, beads, ribbons, and any other kind of gem or ornament; mandrel, hammer, rubber hammer, steel block; creative shaping tools (deodorant, lip balm, water bottle, pen, glass jar).  

Technique:

The process of creating jewellery is simple. According to what you wish to create you need a guide (your finger if it is a ring, your wrist etc.) in order to make it to the right size. The most important part is to have a sharp pair of scissors (specifically made to cut wires) so to gently cut any edges. Then feel free to add any kind of jewellery or any other ornament. Jewelleries can be a great gift too and always have your signature.

Basic twisting: swirled ring (or a bracelet):

1. Measure lengths of wire
2. Clean wire with sandpaper
3. Cut sandpaper block for raw edges
4. Twist the edges to make a swirl (you may need to practice this)
5. Decorate the swirled ring with beads

Beehive necklace / earrings:

1. Preparations: – cut practice pieces of wire (small 15 cm, big 30cm)
2. Clean wire with sandpaper
3. Cut sandpaper block for raw edges
4. Twist the edges to finish
5. Then add a stone/pearl and cord

Remember to: bring materials e.g. raw stones, seashell etc.), encourage people to use imagination of things to put inside (Legos, stones, any colourful items, paper balls)

Leaf shape earrings:

1. Clean wire with sandpaper
2. Cut sandpaper block for raw edges
3. Shape the wire by twisting and hammering
4. Add beads and ear hooks to the wired earrings
5. Create big or small leaf shaped jewellery, with optional hammered textures and patina

Tree of life: multiple wires, beads

1. Clean wire with sandpaper
2. Cut sandpaper block for raw edges
3. Shape wire into a tree by twisting multiple wires and adding beads

Remember to: bring materials (jar for shaping, measure lengths)