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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Saturday Share...Free-form Wire Fibula

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Today, I am sharing a fun, quick, and fairly easy project ..a free-form wire fibula! These are so cute.  They would make a great, inexpensive teacher gift!

Materials needed:

large gauge wire - approx 24 inches
pliers - chain and round nose
steel block
hammers - planishing and texturizing
torch - for annealing wire
patina of choice

Start off with some fairly large gauge wire...I used 12g copper.  Be prepared to anneal it throughout the project as it will work harden really quickly.


  • Flush cut one end and file smooth. Hammer to flatten.
  • Using your chain nose pliers, bend flattened area over to form hook (approx. 1/4 inch)
  • Using round nose pliers, form a loop behind the hook as shown.


  • Continue to swirl wire around the beginning loop. This is where the free-form comes in!
  • Create whatever shapes you desire


  • When you have acheived your desired shape, begin the loop to form the pin.
  • Straighten the wire and wrap around the base of your round nose pliers, looping twice.
  • Don't fold down to the hook yet...you need to tap out any kinks, making the pin straight and hard


  • Now you get to texturize! Hammer to your heart's content!
  • Using your round nose pliers in the double loop, bend the pin over to fit under the hook.
  • Measure about another 1/4 past the end of your design and cut with flush cutters at an angle
  • not pictured...hammer and flatten a bit and flush cut other side to form the sharp point.
  • File and sand, keeping the point, but getting rid of sharp burs on the edges
  • Patina as you wish, polish or tumble
and, voila!



The design posibilities with this design are endless...add an art bead or beads to the shank, wire wrap parts, use different wire!

Here are a few I have made in the past...




So, go get your wire and your pliers and have fun!!

Melissa Meman
Melismatic Art Jewelry
Art. Life. Love

14 comments:

  1. Melissa - these are stunning! You are such a wizard with wire! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  2. There are so many things you can do with these; pendants, ornaments, bracelets etc.!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

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  3. I've always meant to have a go at one of these and this might just be the kick up the pants O need Melissa - so much you can do with them I can't wait to have a go.

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  4. Just to tell you, you make this look so easy, and my wire skills are nonexistent! But I really, really want to try this, cause it looks soo cool!

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  5. Thank you so much for share it, I'm starting to work with wire and I can't find courses near my location, your tutorials are amazing and easy to follow, thank you again
    Eva

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  6. Thank you so much for share it, your tutorials are always amazing a easy to follow, I'm learning a lot with you. :)

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  7. You make it look so easy with the end result so amazingly beautiful.
    I just end up with a bunch of twisted wire...lol

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  8. Beautiuful!! I agree, you make it look soooo easy! I think a variation of this would make a wonderful bookmark with a favorite book as a gift...for those that still read the old fashioned way; that would be me :) Thanks for sharing your tutorial!

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  9. Great tutorial! When my hand is better I'll give it a try!

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  10. Wow. I know that it sounds so simple and I love wire, but I can never manipulate it like you do! This is lovely and what a nice gift! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  11. That is very cool. Thank you for sharing your process!

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  12. Very nice! These turned out great...will have to give it a try ;)

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  13. Now I am really going to have to get a torch. Thank you so much for sharing.

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