There’s lots of craft wire out there, but they’re not all created equal. You want a wire that’s workable, for sure. Especially for people just learning the craft, and for older folks like me, your hands can get tired and ache if the wire is too stiff and inflexible. You also want a choice of colors, and colors that won’t fade or tarnish over time. It’s a long process making these flowers, what a shame to have them look bad over time because of poor quality wire.

There’s lots of opinions out there, I’m sure, and I can only give you mine. I’ve always worked with Parawire. The pricing is right, and the quality is wonderful, and don’t you just love the colors. It’s a little softer wire, and I always give the central wire a tug to make it a little harder, but it’s really nice to work with.

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So every year I struggle to finish sufficient pieces to make up a decent display for the show. And every year I promise myself I won’t fall into that trap again. Perhaps creating these flowers in January and February won’t feel so much like I’m on a deadline … hope so.

Here’s a photo of the first flower for this year’s show. I’ve used Swarovsky crystals … always use them, nothing like the way they sparkle … and lovely fuchsia colored wire in a crystal base.

Tell me what you think.

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Lots of posts coming soon, but for now here’s a photo of one of the new designs I used for a recent Christmas show!

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In the rounded petal, the working wire is brought across the basic wire at a right angle. For a pointed petal, slide down one or two beads more than with the rounded petal and bring the working wire across the basic wire at a 45 degree angle. These extra beads cause the top bead of the working wire to rest slightly above the top bead of the basic wire. This creates a pointed shape, and can be done at either the top or bottom of the petal. If you have difficulty with this, or you want a very pronounced point, slide an extra bead onto the basic wire before making your wrap.

We’re continuing to work on the new blog format, and expect you’ll be seeing it within the next few weeks. Be sure to visit again and take a look!

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There will be some major changes to the sites over the next few weeks, so you may see some strange things happening …. please excuse us as we work through the initial setup of the new website. Do come back and visit, though, and take a peek at our new look!

To all the wonderful people who have visited … many thanks for your support. To everyone I extend best Holiday wishes and the wish that the new year brings you all you hope for.

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The last flower I completed was truly fun, and I couldn’t resist showing you just one more! I love the color of this prepared thread, and decided to make three different styles in the same arrangement. I found some very light blue thread that I spun with silver, and I accented the petals with seafoam wire. All the centers are made with silver beads. This arrangement is a good example of the many ways we can create unique flowers by changing petal shapes, colors, wire and beads so that every piece we complete can be new and unique. The flower at the upper left has petals shaped like butterfly wings, outlined with corrugated wire. The flower to the right has large petals from prepared thread, outlined with two wraps of wire, and smaller inner petals made with wire. The remaining flower uses square petals with silver beads at the tips, again outlined with wire. I mounted all three in a crystal candle holder, with just some strands of wire for interest. It received rave reviews!

So now the push for the show is over, but no rest for me! I’m working on major changes to the site. I’m excited with the upcoming changes and hope you’ll visit again soon!

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Here’s a photo of the finished piece. I have to say I’m happy with it! I had some 32 gauge wire in hot pink …. too thin to use on it’s own, so I twisted two strands together and used it to outline the petals and make the leaves. I wanted to add something more than just leaves, so made some petals to form ‘buds’ and attached to the sides. Mounted in my last crystal vase, it makes a delicate and lovely arrangement.

I have really enjoyed sharing these flowers with you. The mad holiday rush will be over soon, and I have some exciting plans for the site coming up, so I do hope you’ll come back soon!

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The resulting flowers, then, are not the same as traditional Ganutell, and I hesitate to call it that. Better to just call the pieces ‘bead and wire flowers’. It’s a generic description that encompasses all the techniques I’m tending to use. It’s quite exciting to see the finished work; I’m never sure what I’ll end up with when I begin a piece. I’ve had great response to the flowers, and am encouraged by that, of course.

Here’s one I’ve just completed. It’s center is made from beads, the second row of petals and the leaves are from wire, and the first and third layer of petals are prepared thread. The larger petals include rows of beads as well. I love the combination of techniques.

Yep … this one’s truly a bead and wire flower!

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Here’s a photo of a piece I’ve just completed. I used Swarovski crystals for the center of the flower and for the stylized flower ‘buds’ below it. The petals are made with gold boullion wire, often referred to as Ganutell. I used a tea light holder I couldn’t resist buying.

After the rush of the holidays, I look forward to sharing with you all the different techniques for making these bead and wire flowers – they’re totally fun!

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The flower in my last post was more traditional in style, but those I’ve made since then have taken on a very whimsical look. A friend refers to this one as alien!

The point being, of course, that this craft gives us much opportunity to be creative and not hesitate to push the envelope. This one was really fun.

More later ………..

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