Jan Stephens

Master Wire Jewelry Artisan

Innovative Wire Jewelry Jan Stephens, the instructor of “Innovative Wire Jewelry” has been featured in several magazines including Southern Distinction Magazine and in Step-By-Step Wire Jewelry Magazine. She lives in Watkinsville, Georgia and teaches wire jewelry at Woman Creative in Buford, GA, the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education, the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Athens Technical College-Department of Continuing Education, Quinlan Art Center in Gainesville, GA, in local arts and crafts stores and her very own Wrapsody Jewelry Studio. She has recently been selected to teach at Wildacres, in Little Switzerland, North Carolina in April 2011. With a thirty-one year career as a professional educator and refined trainer, Jan melds her teaching expertise, intuition and distinctive design talents to provide an optimum training environment to grow beginning students into advanced creators of wire jewelry art. Jan has a diverse arts background that includes classical piano, interior design, watercolor, textile creations, and ultimately jewelry design. She uses free-form creativity and an artistic flair to make her one-of-a-kind, improvisational pieces. Shining strands of sterling silver and 14 karat gold-filled along with a sparkling array of semi-precious gem stones, innovative materials and artifacts give her jewelry a uniquely elegant, refined look. Jan is an intuitive jewelry artist creating intricate and highly distinctive pieces of wearable art. Within the past ten years she has studied annually at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts and with renowned jewelry artists from across the country. Under her studio name of Wrapsody Jewelry Studio, she displays her designs on her website (www.wrapsodyjewelry.com), at trunk shows, local jewelry and retail stores and private showings.

In her fun filled jewelry classes, Jan’s students will learn the fundamentals of wire art jewelry. Bracelets, earrings, rings and pendants will be created of silver, copper or brass wire and will incorporate natural stones, beads and faceted gems into various simple, yet elegant designs. Her classes are an entertaining and educational experience where students take lifetime skills as well as treasures with them at the end of each class.

Innovative Wire Art Jewelry Classes

Master Wire Jewelry Artist – Jan Stephens Women Creative - Buford, GA

The instructor limits the number of students to twelve so that each person will have adequate assistance with

the projects. Students must be at least 16 years of age to register for the class.

Beginning to Intermediate students will learn the fundamentals of wire art jewelry. In these wire wrapping and wire sculpting classes we will create bracelets, rings and pendants of wire and will incorporate natural stones,

beads and faceted gems into various simple, yet elegant designs. Get ready for a fun and educational experience taking lifetime skills as well as treasures with you at the end of each class.

There are tools available for students to use or they are welcome to bring their own tools, supplies, etc.

Note: Materials and supplies are additional and vary depending on the type of wire (practice wire or precious metal) and gemstones selected by the student. The instructor will have supplies, materials and tools available

for purchase or the student can obtain their own supplies.

Donut Cabochon Pendant Class

Students will make a beautiful pendant using a “Two-Strand” technique and a

donut style stone. Students will learn an innovative bale technique, the

traditional wire binding used in most wire wrapped projects and will learn a number of creative embellishment

strategies to finish the work and make it uniquely their own. All kinds of

beads, gemstones, twists and turns will be added to the piece making the possibilities endless and the result

distinctive and beautiful.

Materials

• 1 - 25mm or larger doughnut

stone

• 24 inches – 22 gauge square dead soft wire in Silver, Gold-

filled, Copper, tinned copper or Brass

• 6 inches – 20 gauge half-round,

half-hard wire in Silver, Gold-filled, Copper, tinned copper or

Brass • 2mm-5mm beads in Silver,

Gold-filled, Copper, pewter,

white metal or Brass and/or snap-set w/czs

Basic Wire Bangle Bracelet Class

In this session the student will construct a classic wire bangle bracelet

that provides an excellent opportunity for working with multiple strands of wire at once and is perfect for

practicing bindings which are a crucial part of almost all wire wrapped jewelry

projects. Later students can use this same basic bracelet to expand their designs into more complex projects.

Materials

• 28 inches – 21 gauge square dead

soft wire in Silver, Gold-filled,

Copper, tinned copper or Brass

• 21 inches – 21 gauge square, half

hard wire in Silver, Gold-filled,

Copper, tinned copper or Brass

• 75 inches – 20 gauge half-round,

half hard wire in Silver, Gold-filled,

Copper, tinned copper or Brass

• 6 inches – 18 gauge round, dead

soft wire in Silver, Gold-filled,

Copper, tinned copper or Brass

Rings and More Rings Class

In this session the students will make

a bead ring using a focal bead and other accent beads. They will learn to handle a ring mandrel, will learn about

ring sizing, shank wrapping and practice with keeping the wire on

square. Next they will make an adjustable Filigree Ring using three

pieces of square wire. They will practice binding, using a mandrel, sizing, and will learn the rosette

embellishment technique.

Materials - Rings and More Rings

Class

• 10 inches – 21 gauge square, dead soft wire in silver, gold-filled, copper, tinned copper or

brass • 16 inches – 21 gauge square,

half hard wire in silver, gold-filled, copper, tinned copper or

brass • 40 inches – 20 gauge half-

round, half hard wire in silver,

gold-filled, copper, tinned copper or brass

• One 8 mm bead with a hole large enough to accommodate the 21 gauge wire

Teardrop of Joy Pendant This project will reinforce the

importance of measuring accurately, binding using a diagonal wrap, shaping

wire using a mandrel and the construction of a contemporary bail. It will also incorporate the use of beads

in the design that can give the pendant so many possibilities in

design.

Materials

• 26 inches - 22 gauge square,

dead soft wire in silver, gold-filled, copper, tinned copper or

brass • 26 inches - 20 gauge half-

round, half-hard in silver, gold-

filled, copper, tinned copper or brass

• 1 - 2 inch head pin in matching metal

• 2 or 3 8mm-10mm Beads

• 2 - 2.5mm matching metal beads

Ten Bead Bracelet

In this project the students will learn

to incorporate beads into a banded bracelet, to calculate size of the bracelet, to bend multiple wires at an

angle and to design and attach a clasp.

Materials

• 21 gauge dead soft – 16 inches

(twisted) • 21 gauge half hard - 32 inches • 18 gauge round dead soft – 7

inches (for clasp) • 22 or 24 gauge wire (round or

square to thread beads) 8 inches

• 4-5 mm wide bead tubes or 4-

5mm round beads – (20 to 50 depending on the length of the

bead) • 2.5-3mm beads to match the

metal (16-20)

Hug Ring

In this project the students will learn

to work with multiple wires to build a project, to size a ring to an exact size using the ring mandrel, and to finish

and file a project so that it is neat and comfortable to the wearer. This is a

unisex ring. It is extremely durable and practical.

Materials

• 21 gauge square dead soft wire-

10 inches • 21 gauge square half hard wire-

20 inches

• 20 gauge half round half hard wire-24 inches

Traditional Sculpted Pendant

During this session students will learn

how to capture a cabochon stone using two pieces of round wire and a special

wire sculpting technique. This is the most difficult of all of the projects and it will round out the student’s

knowledge base by giving the students another strategy in framing a stone to

become a piece of wearable art.

Materials

• 30-40 Inches - 18 gauge - round, dead soft wire in silver,

gold-filled, copper, tinned copper or brass (Depending on

the size stone that you select to wrap.)

• One medium size cabochon or

other oval or round shaped, flat object.

Spiral Links Bracelet

In this class students will make a

spiral link bracelet. They will learn hammering techniques, measurement, buffing and polishing techniques and

many of the basic wire skills and terminologies necessary to this art

form. No solder or glue is used; just copper, silver plate or brass wire and simple tools.

Materials

• 18 gauge dead soft wire – 5 feet

Faceted Stone Ring with Snap-Set

Students will make a lovely faceted stone ring using a 6mm faceted stone and wire. They will create the ring

using two lengths of square wire and will learn to handle and size rings

using a ring mandrel. They will also learn a number of creative embellishment strategies to finish the

work and make it uniquely their own.

Materials

• 1 - 6mm faceted gemstone • 1 – 6mm snap-set • 28 inches – 21 gauge square

dead soft wire in silver plate, brass, copper or tinned copper

• 20 inches – 21 gauge half-round, half-hard wire in silver plate, brass, copper or tinned

copper

Contemporary Sculpted Bead Pendant

In this project the students will learn… o To form a pendant using beads o To sculpt wire into a frame

o To embellish a pendant at the bail

o To become more proficient at constructing the traditional bail.

This is a wonderful pendant that has been one of my greatest sellers.

Materials

• 21 gauge square dead soft wire - 30 inches in silver plate, brass, copper or tinned copper

• 21 gauge half round, half-hard wire - 5 to 15 inches in silver

plate, brass, copper or tinned copper

• 1-6 assorted beads depending

on the size

Coiled Wire Bracelet, Earrings and other Coiled Embellishment

Techniques

In this session the student will

construct a coiled wire bangle bracelet that provides an excellent opportunity learning to use the Coiling tool. The

possibilities are endless when students learn this wire method. Students can

use this same basic method to expand their designs into more complex rings, pendants, earrings and bracelet

projects.

Materials

• 24 feet – 20 gauge round, dead

soft wire silver plate, brass, copper or tinned copper

• 26 inches -18 gauge round, dead soft wire in silver plate, brass, copper or tinned copper

• 4 fish-hook earring wires in matching wire.

• Seed beads of desired color.

Border Wrap Pendant with Traditional Bail

In this class, students will learn to wire

wrap a coin or cabochon using square wire and an oval cabochon or coin. If desired, you can embellish it with wire

swirls and curls for a more dramatic look. Once you have mastered this

technique, you will be able to wire wrap a variety of shapes and sizes of cabochons, stones and large beads.

Materials

• 22 gauge square, dead soft wire

- 24 to 65 inches (depending on stone)

• 20 gauge half round, half hard

wire - 21-35 inches • 1 Cabachon (Oval or Round) or

coin

Double Spiral and Figure 8 Bracelets

In this project the students will learn …

o To sculpt wire into Rosettes o To form a figure 8 design

using the bail making tool. o To measure for correct bracelet

length.

o To make a hook and eye clasp. o To texturize metal using a ball

peen hammer

Materials

• 14 gauge round, dead soft wire

in copper, brass, aluminum or silver plate – 5 feet

• 8 gauge round, dead soft wire - 28 inches in aluminum

• 24 to 48 6mm beads if desired

for embellishment

WigJig Duplex Earrings

In this session the student will learn to

straighten wire with nylon jaw pliers, make a “P” loop, make an eye loop, open and close jump rings to connect

jewelry components, and use a WigJig tool to make wire components. This

project incorporates the use of beads in the design that allows endless

possibilities in the design. Many different patterns will be learned and approximately 4-6 pairs of earrings

will be made in this session.

Materials (Per Pair of Earrings)

• 10 inches - 20 gauge square,

dead soft wire in silver plate, brass, copper or tinned copper

• 2 inch fish-hook earwires in

matching metal • 6 headpins in matching metal

• 6 – 6mm crystal beads

Wire Bangle Bracelet with Braided Wire Insert

In this session the student will

construct a wire bangle bracelet that provides an excellent opportunity for

working with multiple strands of wire at once and is perfect for practicing bindings which are a crucial part of

almost all wire wrapped jewelry projects. Later students can use this

same basic bracelet to expand their designs into more complex projects.

Materials

• 48 inches – 21 gauge square half-hard wire in Silver, Gold-filled, Copper, tinned copper or

Brass • 25 inches – 21 gauge half-

round, half hard wire in Silver, Gold-filled, Copper, tinned copper or Brass

• 6 inches – 18 gauge round, dead soft wire in Silver, Gold-

filled, Copper, tinned copper or Brass

• 18 inches – 18 gauge round, dead soft wire in Silver, Gold-filled, Copper, tinned copper or

Brass

The Importance of Findings - Clasps, Earrings, Earrings and

more Earrings

Students will learn that findings are jewelry parts that are used to attach

something to a chain, bracelet, or ear wire. They will make a variety of

fancy headpins, clasps, plain and fancy ear wires, and will complete a variety

of different earring projects in this session using these hand-formed parts.

Materials

• Miscellaneous Beads from 2mm – 12 mm

• 72 inches – 20 gauge round

half-hard wire in Silver, Gold-filled, Copper or Brass

• 24 inches – 18 gauge round, dead soft wire in Silver, Gold-

filled, Copper or Brass

Touch of Greece-Link Collar

This is a project that will teach the students how to build a collar style necklace using links. This technique

builds on prior projects and will help students understand more about

working with metal. The links can be formed in the shape of rosettes, squares or triangles as shown. This is

a stunning collar.

Materials

• 18 gauge round dead soft wire. (See back of jig to calculate length of wire needed for each

link.) • 2-4mm chain in same metal if

you want the back half to be chain.

• Jig

• Ball Peen Hammer

Hammered Swiggly Bracelet and Earring

In this class students will make a

jewelry set that includes a bracelet and pair of earrings. They will learn hammering techniques, learn to use a

jig, and many of the basic wire wrap techniques necessary to this art form.

A wide range of glass or gemstone beads and findings can be selected, making the possibilities endless and

the result unique and beautiful. No solder or glue is used, just copper,

silver or 14K Rolled Gold wire, beads, gemstones and simple tools.

Materials

• 22 gauge round, dead soft = 12 inches

• 20 gauge round, dead soft = 3

inches • 18 gauge round, dead soft = 23

inches • Head pins (2 in.) = 2 • 7 beads (10 to 12 mm)

• Nail template/jig

Confetti Pendant

In this class students will complete a

pendant using a two-strand technique and a Swarovski Elements Crystal Frame. Students will learn an

innovative bale technique, review the traditional wire binding used in most

wire wrapped projects and will learn a number of creative embellishment strategies to finish the work and make

it uniquely their own piece of wearable art. The design provides an

opportunity for the student to sculpt multiple strands of wire into a unique

art form and embellish the piece with multi-colored crystals, gorgeous faceted stones using the snap-set

process and other fancy beads.

Materials List

• 30 inches – 22 gauge square,

dead soft Sterling Silver • 12 inches – 20 gauge half-

round, half-hard Sterling Silver

• 3 to 5 – 5mm round faceted stones multi-colored

• 3 to 5 – 5mm sterling silver snap-settings for round stones

• 3 – Crystal Balls 4 mm

• 3 – Bicone 4 mm Crystals (assorted-colored mix)

• 8-10 assorted sterling silver 2mm – 3mm beads

• 1 – 30 mm Swarovski Elements Crystal Precision-Cut Square Rings with Silver Colored

Backing

Border Wrap Pendant with Contemporary Bail

In this class, students will learn to wire wrap a cabochon using square wire

and an oval or fancy shaped cabochon. You will learn how to construct a

contemporary bail and you will discover an embellishment technique using small beads for a classic refined

look. Once you have mastered this technique, you will be able to wire

wrap a variety of shapes and sizes of cabochons, stones and large beads.

Materials

• 22 gauge square, dead soft wire

- 24 to 65 inches (depending on

stone) • 20 gauge half round, half hard

wire - 30-45 inches • 1 Cabachon (Oval or Round) • 15-20 2.5-3 mm beads

Friendship Bangle

In this class students will learn to sculpt hard, square wire around beads

to form an interesting and classic bangle. You will also learn an innovative clasp technique and will

become skilled in sizing bracelets and bangles for a perfect fit.

Materials

• 22 gauge square, half hard wire- 10 inches

• 20 or 21 gauge square, half hard wire-28 inches

• 20 gauge half round, half hard

wire-7 inches • 8mm beads – 6 to 8 depending

on bracelet size • 6mm beads – 10 to 14

depending on bracelet size

Pocket Book Pendant

In this class students will learn how to capture a rectangular stone in an innovative technique using four

strands of square wire. You will learn the traditional binding and a distinctive

bail style. The pendant can be embellished with a variety of beads, curls and swirls to make it uniquely

your own.

Materials

• 22 gauge square dead soft wire-35 inches

• 20 gauge half round, half hard

wire-25 inches • Various Beads to

compliment/enhance the stone

Grecian Earrings

In this class students will learn to make a pair of earrings in a multi-step

process. This is a more complex project and should be attempted after

completing a number of wire projects. It requires skill in binding, measuring, and shaping using a mandrel.

Materials

• 22 gauge dead soft wire - 54

inches • 20 gauge half round, half hard

wire – 14 inches • 2 ear wires or ball post

Coiled Wire Elegant Bangle Bracelet

In this class the students will make an

attractive bracelet using a distinctive technique achieved with the assistance of a Coiling Gizmo. Students will

discover how… o To twist a double strand of wire

o To coil wire using a coiling tool o To construct single coiled wire

beads

o To construct a double coiled focal bead

o To construct a swan clasp o To sizing and fitting a bracelet

Materials

• 20 gauge round, dead soft wire,

16 ft

• 18 gauge round, dead soft wire, 3 ft

• 4 Sterling Silver Beads 8-10 mm • 10 Sterling Silver Spacers • Coiling Gizmo