Getting to Know...Jen Rosen

Many wire enthusiasts have already met Jen Rosen through her wire-wrapping classes. If you aren't a wire enthusiast (yet!), here is some information about this wonderful wire artist.

Jen has always been a creative person. "I started with school projects, then oil painting before moving into jewellery," says Jen.

Eye of Medusa Ring

"My mother-in-law showed me one of the beaded bracelet designs she took in a class and taught me. Afterwards, I found a local small bead shop that taught some beginner classes. I took a course at the New York Institute of Art and Design and looked through some YouTube videos. Some things I learned on my own."

Eye of the Dragon Ring

Waves and swirls inspire Jen and it shows in many of her wire pieces. "Sometimes I draw them out, but most of the time I just start weaving and see what it ends up as," explains Jen. "Sometimes I put something that really inspires me into a computer folder to look at on a future date."

Jen is a stay-at-home mother of 4 children ("Five if you count the husband," say Jen) ages 2 through 14. "When I am not cleaning or taking care of all of them and get a chance to relax, I like to read, make more jewellery or watch a movie," she says.

"I love helping students learn a new style of jewellery making," says Jen. "I do wish though, that students who need help with a technique would ask for or accept help. It's what I'm there for!"

Jen's advice to others who create? "Practice, have patience and ask questions!" says Jen. "And possibly keep jewellery that you just made out of reach of 2-year-olds - it goes missing!"

Upcoming classes with Jen Rosen:
Sunday, January 24
Wire Wrapping: Lover's Embrace Pendant
12:30 - 3:30pm

Saturday, February 13
Wire Wrapping: Dragon's Eye Bracelet
10:00am - 3:00pm

Sunday, February 21
Wire Wrapping: Arrowhead Pendant
12:00 - 3:00pm

Sunday, March 6
Wire Wrapping: Simple Bangle
12:00 - 3:00pm

Wire Wrapping a Briolette

As promised in the inspiration yesterday - I tried to take some pics of the process of wire wrapping a briolette.  I think the following instructions should help out those with some wire wrapping skills - If you have any questions - as usual, feel free to ask away. I'll clarify as much as I can.

Birdsnest Rings

Every now and again I teach a basic wire wrapped ring class called "Birdsnest Rings". This is a fairly simple project, and once you get the hang of it, you'll be whipping these out like crazy. Trust me, all of your friends will want one!

Materials required:

• 22 gauge Artistic Wire, or 22 gauge dead soft sterling silver wire Fabulous assortment of Swarovski, or semi precious beads
• Wire cutters, and flat, or chain nose pliers
• Ring Mandrel
• Ring Sizer
• Needle File
• Coated flat nose pliers (optimal)

Instructions:

Cut a length of wire to 2.5 feet long, and gently straighten your wire with your fingers, or by using a coated pair of flat nose pliers.

Find the centre point of the wire and bend slightly to mark the spot (do not kink the wire!). Thread on your focal bead, and centre on the wire.

Place the bead on the centre of the wire face up on the ring mandrel and hold it down. Wrap each end of the wire around the mandrel once or twice. These wraps will determine how many strands of wire form your ring shank.

While still holding onto your bead firmly, wrap each end of wire to bend around the bead in the centre. This will now hold your ring in place and you can loosen your grip somewhat. Keep wrapping each end one at a time until you have built up your “nest”. How many wraps is completely up to you. Generally, your chosen focal bead will dictate how many wraps you need to make.

Once your “birdnest” is complete, slide the ring off the ring mandrel. You should still have a good 6 + inches of wire left on each end.

Starting on one side, wrap the end of the wire around the shank wires tightly being careful to wrap evenly. The wraps should fit snugly next to each other with no gaps. Complete 5 to 7 wraps.

Repeat the above for the other side of the wire. Once you have your wraps lying evenly, cut off the extra wire. Using your flat or chain nose pliers, press the wire into the shank.

If you have any sharp burrs on your wire, use a needle file to file down and clean the end of the wire.

©beadFX Inc. 2007