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Making Wire Jewelry for Men
by Dale Armstrong
Question:

Hi Dale, I am having a hard time making men's jewelry look like men's jewelry. Do you have any advice on making men's jewelry?

-Judy in Danielsville, Georgia
Instructions
Answer:

Hi Judy! Here are the most simple ways I know to make wire jewelry look more masculine:

  • Use a heavier gauge wire
  • Leave off the frills.
  • Use larger, more "earthy" stones

    For example, a nice idea for a man's cabochon pendant would be to make a 25 x 30mm (hematite, black onyx, lapis, tiger-eye, picture jasper, etc) cabochon with a 21-gauge wire frame, and a plain bail. To finish the extra wires at the top, you could either just cut them all a bit longer than the wrapping under them, give each end a slight curve toward the wrap and use flat-nose pliers to press them against the wrap. Or, you could trim all of the wires to about 1/4" long and use chain-nose pliers to give each a slight curve at their ends and then flat nose pliers to spin them toward the wraps, forming a "coronet" topping.
    • Dale Armstrong's Making Wire Jewelry for Men - , Wire Jewelry Design, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Design, Coronet Cabochon Bail Topping
    Dale Armstrong's Making Wire Jewelry for Men - , Wire Jewelry Design, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Design, Rope Cabochon Bail Topping
    Men's bracelets are pretty easy to make. I like to use a 20-gauge wire, with either a herringbone, or a single twisted wire on each edge, with a 16-gauge hook and eye clasp. The "Classic Cabochon" or "Pharaoh's Ring" is a man's design to begin with (we women have just taken it over). This ring looks awesome when made with 21-gauge or even 20-gauge wire and a simple, classic stone such as black onyx, tigereye, or a sapphire cabochon.

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    In my opinion, "old school" men are the most difficult to please with our wire designs. Just keep it very simple, earthy and bold!

    Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

    Materials

    Beginner Series - Part 7
    DVD-BEG7
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $34.95
    • Gold Club Price: $26.21
    Add to Bag
    Wire
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    Matte Onyx 22x30mm Oval Cabochon - Pack of 1
    E8-20E
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $5.32
    • Gold Club Price: $3.99
    Add to Bag
    Tiger Eye 22x30mm Oval Cabochon - Pack of 1
    E8-10E
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $8.57
    • Gold Club Price: $6.43
    Out of Stock
    Lapis 22x30mm Oval Cabochon - Pack of 1
    E8-12E
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $7.17
    • Gold Club Price: $5.38
    Out of Stock
    Add All Items to Cart

    Tools

    Chain Nose Wire Plier
    G2-508
    • G2-508
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $32.95
    • Gold Club Price: $24.71
    Add to Bag
    6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
    G2-503
    • G2-503
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $22.97
    • Gold Club Price: $17.23
    Add to Bag
    Flat Nose Wire Plier
    G2-506
    • G2-506
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $32.95
    • Gold Club Price: $24.71
    Add to Bag
    Round Nose Wire Plier
    G2-507
    • G2-507
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $32.95
    • Gold Club Price: $24.71
    Add to Bag
    Xuron Flush Cutter - Pack of 1
    G2-504
    • G2-504
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $20.97
    • Gold Club Price: $15.73
    Add to Bag
    Stainless Steel Ring Mandrel Sizes 1-15
    G7-2
    • G7-2
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $37.97
    • Gold Club Price: $28.48
    Out of Stock
    Add All Items to Cart
    • Category: Design
    • Technique(s): Wrapping, Design

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