Working with wire

[pootlepod]

Have just started working with wire, but want to know the best tips. Do I really need to get any tools for it? Or can I do most things using a pen/needle etc? How can I do a flat spiral?

[Dingle]

Not sure what you mean by flat spiral, but it gives a nice effect putting it through a paper crimpler! Wind round a fine knitting needle or evena cocktail stick!

[layla]

Hi Pootlepod.I've just got a fine round nose pair of pliers to use with wire.The type you get for jewellery making.It helps quite a lot.

[Dingle]

I have just stolen a small pair of round nose pliers from DH!! He has so many tools in the garage, he will never know, he is a bit like gadget man! he will never find then hidden in the depths of my craft goodies either!!

I haven't tried them yet though!

[Carolinett]

It just so happens I'm going on a metal & wire workshop for card makers this Saturday morning for 2 hours. If I get any good tips I'll share them. I did see in a cardmaking mag were someone drew a shape a heart and there was a simple pram as well then shaped the wire round the drawing

[pootlepod]

But magazines have been my problem.. all the shapes look so wonderful and then when I try and recreate them, my wire shape just looks like an amoeba!

I've got the pliers which are great and I can wrap it around things which look very effective. Do you think it's a case of practice?

[Dingle]

I liked my first attempt at a dragonfly. But his wing were rather wobbly! perhaps it is just practice makes perfect!!

[Carolinett]

Know what you mean about the amoeba shapes thats why I'm going on the work shop to see how the experts do it.

[Carolinett]

Just thought what about small biscuit cutter for heart or teddy shapes wrap the wire around the out side of the shape.

[Dingle]

I know AQ was going to buy one of those wire jig things from Lakeland, but I'd heard that the pegs had a tendancy to keep popping out! I don't know if she ever got it, or how she's doing with it if she did!!

[Carolinett]

Yes I bought one of those don't bother the pegs do come out I even tried putting blue tack underneath for the pegs to stick in more trouble than it's worth

[Carolinett]

and it wasn't cheap it came with a gadget with green wire on a spool attached to it. It's in my "I may need this one day" box

[Jayzmummy]

DONT buy the wire writer frm Lakeland....ITS PANTS....take it from one who knows and has spent many a happy hour throwing it at the wall in sheer frustration!!!!
Hubby made me an alternative which is much better....just dont seem to have the time just lately though to "play".

[Carolinett]

I made a flower using that new gadget bow maker you know the block of wood with two sticks to put in the holes.
I put the sticks in the closest holes wrapped the wire round in a figure of eight three times then wrapped the wire it over in the middle tight a couple of times cut the wire pulled the whole thing of the two sticks of wood & spread out the loops to form a flower.

[layla]

You can try say drawing a simple heart the size you want it and then wrapping the wire around the drawing if that makes sense.Not that I'm an expert or anything but I read it in a magazine where they had printed a template and that's what they told you to do.

[SoupDragon]

Email Lakeland and complain about the wire jig thingy - they'll refund you the money and suggest you donate the item to a charity shop! Their customer service is superb. They refunded me the cost of their cookie press not long ago because I complained that it wasn't worth the money.

[Jayzmummy]

Thanks Soup dragon....AQ told me to do the same thing....not very British me...I never complain...but maybe this time I will!

[SoupDragon]

Oh, I know - I'm the same! But Lakeland are just so nice about it!

[Dingle]

JM, I know that you wont be the first one to complain about this, quite a few people on the other site I use have complained too! The design is obviously at fault.

[Dior]

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