Introduction: Wire Dreamcatcher
for this you will need:
26 gauge dead soft wire
wire cutters
a frame for your dreamcatcher ( I'm using a 4" stainless steel welded ring)
a jump ring for the center
beads... embelishments
26 gauge dead soft wire
wire cutters
a frame for your dreamcatcher ( I'm using a 4" stainless steel welded ring)
a jump ring for the center
beads... embelishments
Step 1: Start Out
by cutting 8 12" pieces of wire.
take a wire and fold it in half
thread it through the frame
wrap it around twice
and twist 2-3 times
repeat for all 8 wires
take a wire and fold it in half
thread it through the frame
wrap it around twice
and twist 2-3 times
repeat for all 8 wires
Step 2: Wrapping the Frame
make 8 evenly spaced marks around the frame with a non permanent marker
cut a long section of wire that you feel comfortable using (18" is usually good)
begin wrapping the wire around the frame
after 5 or 6 wraps slide the wire nearest the working end of your new wraps over the nearest mark
Slide your wraps right up against the wire you just moved to a mark and continue wrapping right over the top of it,
when you reach the next mark slide the next wire around to the mark and again wrap right over it.
continue until you run out of wire, to start a new piece overlap it with where you left off by a few wraps.
make sure you are still wrapping in the same direction and continue until you have gone all the way around.
cut a long section of wire that you feel comfortable using (18" is usually good)
begin wrapping the wire around the frame
after 5 or 6 wraps slide the wire nearest the working end of your new wraps over the nearest mark
Slide your wraps right up against the wire you just moved to a mark and continue wrapping right over the top of it,
when you reach the next mark slide the next wire around to the mark and again wrap right over it.
continue until you run out of wire, to start a new piece overlap it with where you left off by a few wraps.
make sure you are still wrapping in the same direction and continue until you have gone all the way around.
Step 3: First Row
choose 2 wires that are next to each other to start with
grab the stands from each wire that are next to each other (or "inside")
twist them together 2 or three times a little ways from the edge of the frame.
Do this with each pair of "inside" wires until you have gone all the way around.
grab the stands from each wire that are next to each other (or "inside")
twist them together 2 or three times a little ways from the edge of the frame.
Do this with each pair of "inside" wires until you have gone all the way around.
Step 4: Continue
when you reach where you started twisting wires together, do the same thing again, this time a little further from frame. Continue this until you want to create the center of your dream catcher, adding beads or other decorations as you please.
Step 5: Center
cut your wires short about 2" long, make one more row without adding any embellishments, twist the 2 wires tight and continue twisting to the end of the wires.
twist all of the twisted wires together.
tighten the twist till your wires are taught
cut the twisted wires short
twist all of the twisted wires together.
tighten the twist till your wires are taught
cut the twisted wires short
Step 6: Adding the Center Ring
loosen the twist of twisted wires and slip your jump ring over the wires
finish un-twisting the twisted wires. (you should have 8 pair of twisted wires)
wrap the wires around the ring slipping them through the last row
cut them short and press the ends in the center of the ring.
your dream catcher is now ready for you to embellish.
for instructions on embellishing your wire dreamcatcher,
you can look forward to the next installment
embellishing your wire dreamcatcher with chainmaille
which will include 5+ chainmaille weaves, wire wrapping and beading techniques.
finish un-twisting the twisted wires. (you should have 8 pair of twisted wires)
wrap the wires around the ring slipping them through the last row
cut them short and press the ends in the center of the ring.
your dream catcher is now ready for you to embellish.
for instructions on embellishing your wire dreamcatcher,
you can look forward to the next installment
embellishing your wire dreamcatcher with chainmaille
which will include 5+ chainmaille weaves, wire wrapping and beading techniques.