Registration for this schedule starts on 12/01/2025 and ends on 06/26/2026
Participants must be 18 years to 120 years old when the program starts.
Registration for this schedule starts on 12/01/2025 and ends on 07/31/2026
Participants must be 18 years to 120 years old when the program starts.
WIRE WEAVING I – FRAMELESS DESIGNS
INSTRUCTOR: SANDY LINDSAY
This class introduces wire weaving concepts and techniques. Wire weaving uses a thin (30 to 26 gauge) weaving wire directly from a spool to make a repeating pattern on base wires that are generally thicker (20 to 16 gauge). This class will teach techniques to make a smooth, tight weave, minimize wire breakage, prevent ends that could snag, patina and polish, and complete beautiful comprehensive designs. Students will complete three class projects. The first project is a cuff bracelet with a hammered clasp. The second project is a pendant using a woven bezel and double bail to hold a cabochon and optional accent stone without use of a frame. The third project is woven earrings with stones set
in the weave. After that students will have a choice of projects using these concepts, including a tree of life, pendants/bracelets with more complex weaves, and incorporating cold-formed components or beads in their designs.
To successfully complete the projects, students should have good or corrected near vision and the ability to perform repetitive fine motor movements with their hands. Hands are the primary tools while weaving. Those who use an optivisor or reading glasses should bring them, and a magnifier light will be provided. Left and right-handed weaving techniques will be taught. Tutorials are provided for class projects in both left and right-handed versions.
The class fee includes copper wire for the bracelet and pendant class projects, and fine silver weaving wire with either Argentium or Sterling base wires for the earrings project. The class fee also includes detailed project tutorials, patina, Sunshine polishing cloth, ProPolish pads, three accent stones, use of polishing wheels, and use of a toolkit and magnifying light for the duration of class. Argentium or Sterling silver kits will be available at a reasonable price for any of the projects. Bring a few nice cabochons if you have them, or some will be available for purchase.
Class Fee: $95
Materials Fee: $10 to $150
Prerequisite: None
Sandy Lindsay is a retired US Air National Guard veteran, retired nurse, wife, and mother. She has traveled the world with the military and shopped at colorful bazaars where she collected natural beads and stones. Like many in the hobby, she started stringing beads and progressed to wire jewelry. Despite dabbling in other crafts, she keeps returning to wire weaving as a relaxing hobby that travels well and gives her hands something to do while watching TV.
She loves adult education and developed her skills teaching nurses resuscitation and trauma care. In 2019 she began teaching wire weaving at the Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Society, and later at the Central Florida Mineral and Gem Society. She teaches both left and right-handed wire weave techniques and has developed tutorials to complement her classes.
Please contact William Holland School of Lapidary Arts if you have any questions.