Jig Jewelry Patterns Collection

Wig jig

WIG JIG

DIY projects

Working away on a new Copper Wire Collection . There is something about just using your hands and a pair of pliers to shape and form and …

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DIY Jewelry

CAN YOU DO A J I G ? I often get asked about the pros and cons of using a JIG. So I thought I would share my experiences and hope to hear about yours … If you’ve never heard of or used a jig tool for jewellery purposes, it is simply a grid of evenly spaced holes (set either on a square or diagonal pattern) with separate pegs that can be propped into the holes to enable wire to be wrapped around,creating decorative wire units and motifs that can be used in jewellery making. The advantage of using this tool is that you can re-create complex wire motifs in duplicate, ensuring each piece remains the same shape and size. It is also recommended for anyone who finds pliers difficult to manipulate. You can make your own jig by hammering long nails through a block of wood in a chosen pattern. The block can then secured onto a table with a vice and wire can be wrapped around the nails jutting through the wood. However, there are many styles of jig that can be purchased from bead suppliers (ranging from steel to perspex bases) with removable pegs of different gauges – and these ready made tools provide you with a wealth of experimentation! PROS: as mentioned earlier, jigs are great for anyone who finds pliers difficult to use. You can re-create uniform wire units of the same size and shape. Therefore, excellent for earring hangers and chain units. CONS: As there are many varied styles and types of jigs on the market, you will find it difficult to follow printed pattern instructions, as some are based on a square grid, whilst others on a diagonal grid system. Therefore, you will have to be prepared to adapt patterns slightly, to accommodate your jig type. Not only do the grids vary, but also the size of pegs – so once again, you will need to check wire measurements. GETTING STARTED There are a few key tactics to getting started: STRING 1. Once you have decided on your pattern, your pegs are set in the required design … Cut a piece of string or cord (approx. the same gauge as your wire) and wrap it around the pegs, following the pattern. Not only will this re-affirm the
design and placing of the pegs, but it will also provide you with the measurement of wire required for wrapping. ANCHOR LOOP 2. Once you have cut your wire, ready for wrapping, create a circular loop at one end using your round nosed pliers. Ensure that this loop fits and slides neatly over the first peg of your chosen pattern. This loop will create the anchor to the unit, keeping the wire fixed to your grid. PUSH DOWN 3. As you wrap the wire around the pegs keep it straight and taught and continually push it down to the base of the pegs in order for the motif to remain reasonably flat and to remove some of the elasticity in the wire. You can push it down using nylon jawed pliers, or a mixture of your fingers and plier tips. If you don’t remove any of the elasticity (or \

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