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Jewelry MuseumEvery week we have a new historic jewelry piece in The WireWorker Jewelry Making Newsletter.  Click Here for a Closeup Antique Rhinestone Necklace This necklace was manufactured in the 30's or 40's; much of it was machine manufactured, but the u-shaped catch was made by hand, using square, gold filled wire, as were the links. It's really a combination of both machine made and handmade.  Click Here for a Closeup Woven Wire Ring This ring is woven, probably from India, and the ends of the wire are tucked under the other wires, and a sprinkle of solder was used to bind it together.  Click Here for a Closeup Antique Wire Pin The pin is made to look like a horseshoe and riding crop. Many of these pieces were made at race tracks and horse events across the USA. A crafty wire worker could probably make a good buck or two by making and selling these right on the spot at the tracks to horse racing fans.  Click Here for a Closeup Antique Rhinestone Pin This is an example of two forms of jewelry construction. The outside wires were all formed by hand using square gold filled wire, and the center settings are prong held rhine stones, machine made. This piece was probably made in the 1920's.  Click Here for a Closeup A very intricately created peacock, all formed from a very thin gauge of wire. Called filigree, created probably in India in the 50's, it is bent into shape and then sprinkled with solder and put under heat. There is a pin soldered on the rear of the peacock.  Click Here for a Closeup Old Manufactured Wire Brooch. This brooch was probably produced in the early 1900's in a factory that used square wire techniques in there manufacturing process. The pin was made on a jig, the wire woven into a flower pattern in gold filled wire, and a steel pin was soldered on the back.  Click Here for a Closeup This is an old antique gaming chip from China. The Chinese carved these for the British to use in a game of chance; much like poker. The gaming chips usually had the initials of the British royalty or officer on one side, but on the other the carver, many times carved a complete scene of his local village. These gaming chips are highly collectible, and many times someone will ask you to set one. This setting is made in three parts. #1. The first setting is made from dead soft 18 gauge round wire, much like the setting in my universal pendants setting. #2. I then used a strand of 28 gauge or 26 gauge gold filled wire to string the pearls, and I used another strand to wrap around them, and hold them on. #3. I then took some gold filled pattern wire and made a bail from it, by coiling it around a steel mandrel and attaching it anywhere I could in the rear, where it would be strong.  Click Here for a Closeup This is two very old, 3 inch long pieces of scrimshaw that was made into earrings using the principles in Intro to Wire Sculpture Vol 2 DVD. I attached two studs and balls on the tops, but French hooks could have been used also. I used 21 gauge square dead soft wire.  This is an old wire bracelet from Tibet, made all from very large base metal wire, and I do believe these are still made in Tibet, and parts of India.  Click Here for a Closeup Wire Key Pin - 1930's A golden key is widely recognized as a symbol of academic achievement. It also has a dream significance. The dreamer has the ability to obtain the information to unlock the locket attached to it. These key pins were made by wire workers at Coney Island, New York during the Worlds Fairs and other places where people would gather.  Click Here for a Closeup Initial Pins These wire name initials were very popular in the early 1900's, and they seem to be making a comeback. They were initials on small drilled, mother of pearl hearts, and they were worn on a collar or lapel. Notice the excellent work in the letter 'M'. This was done by a master of the trade.  A piece of vintage wire jewelry made in Germany during the 1930's or 40's using very thin round 30 gauge sterling silver wire.  Click Here for a Closeup This wire name pendant was made during World War II. This is what is called a Sweetheart Pin. They were made by hand during the second World War, and companies sold them to military bases, where soldiers would buy them, and send them back home to there wives or girlfriends. This particular one, from the United States Air Force, is accompanied by a small scarf.  Wire Birdcage I ran across this handmade wire birdcage and just couldn't resist buying it. It is totally handcrafted from black heavy gauge wire and has heart designs.  Copper Scorpion this is a one of a kind work of wire art. It's made of braided copper wire, and even I can't figure out how they did it! It's truly a work of art.  Click Here for a Closeup Sterling silver and black onyx hand made swirl earrings We were absolutely delighted to find these long dangling earrings made entirely from wire at a flea market in Mississippi for only $8.00. The earrings are about 3 inches long and are built around a sterling eye pin. The coils are made from one continuous strand of 20 gauge round sterling wire using a jig. An 18 gauge round wire is attached at the bottom of the coils and swirls to the top around the coils and is attached right under the black onyx bead at the top. The dangle is attached to a manufactured stud with ball and loop.  Click Here for a Closeup This a beautiful piece of scrimshaw colored in and wrapped with wire. It is drilled through the center and the wire has been brought through the middle and wrapped around the cab. It may have been done in the 40's or 50's. It is done in 14kt gold-filled wire.  Click Here for a Closeup This a beautiful piece mounted on a woman's hair clip. The piece is very unique and was made in Peru. It is hand crafted using a wire jig.  Click Here for a Closeup This necklace is based on an ancient design found in the Egyptian tombs. It is made from twisted 18 gauge square nickel silver wire. It is one of the most beautiful and well made necklaces that I have seen in this design. There are also matching earrings. The instructions for making this necklace design can be found in "Making Wire Jewelry" by Helen Clegg.  Click Here for a Closeup Wire Angel in the 1997 Avon Gift Collection. This angel is made entirely from 24 gauge round craft wire. It is 3 inches tall and 3 inches from wingtip to wingtip. Although the angel was made as a Christmas ornament, it could easily be made into a pin by wiring a small pin back on the backside. The skirt and body form the foundation of the angel with the wings and opened arms being separate sculptures wired into the body.  Click Here for a Closeup Old Mother's or Grandmother's wire pin from the 1940's. This pin is made from 21 gauge gold-filled square half hard wire with small gold-filled gemstone clover leaves. To my knowledge these findings are no longer manufactured but you could certainly substitute a small 4mm snap set and gemstone. The pin measures 3 inches long and 1-1/2 inches wide. The spring catch is made from one of the wrap wires. This was bought at an antique store in Illinois for only $8.99!  Click Here for a Closeup This is an old pin that was apparently made to market at race tracks or horse shows. As you can see the horse shoe shape, the riding crop, and the whip twisted around it. These pins are still made in different fashions at rodeos and horse shows today.  Click Here for a Closeup A great necklace made of round 18 gauge copper wire from the late 50's or early 60's. It would look good in gold or silver wire, too.  Click Here for a Closeup Sterling Silver Bicycle Pin purchased at a swap meet in Arizona several years ago for $6.00. It is made from one piece of 18 gauge round Sterling silver half hard wire. The wire sculpture starts at the catch and ends with the sharp point of the pin.  Click Here for a Closeup Vintage Component Bracelet from the 50's purchased at a street fair for $12.00. Made from 21 gauge gold-filled square wire and ready made plastic components that seem to be grooved to fit the wire.  Click Here for a Closeup Wire jewelry bracelet made from 24 gauge round copper and brass wire. This was originally purchased several years ago from a street vendor in Bisbee, Arizona, who made his bracelets as you waited for them.  Click Here for a Closeup Wire jewelry pin purchased at the New Orleans flea market in 1995. It is made from one continuous strand of 18 gauge sterling silver round half hard wire. The wire forming the fish was hammered flat while the pin wire was left round.  Click Here for a Closeup Wire jewelry pin and earrings set from the 1950's made by an inmate in a New York prison and sold at a prison fund raiser. It is made from three large pink fully drilled beads, 4 small fully drilled pearls and thin half hard square gold-filled wire.  This historic piece is a great old wire pin that features a fancy mother of pearl backing and a really neat heart for a dangle.  Imagine making wire name jewelry in the streets of New York or better yet, the lobby of the empire state building!! That’s right, many a name bender worked there trade on the streets of New York City and here is a little name pin with the original box and a small empire state building charm attached. All of it seems to be in great shape. I will bet it was tucked away in an old dusty jewelry box with some very special memories attached. |
