Classes offered Aug. 25 – 26
Tryon Arts and Crafts School will host a beginning/intermediate wire-wrap jewelry workshop with instructor Sonia Arnold on Saturday, Aug. 25 and Sunday, Aug. 26. This workshop will enhance the skills of previous wire-wrap students and build on the basic techniques of bending, twisting and shaping wire.
Wire wrap is a hand-fabricated method of jewelry design and creation. It involves the use of tools to bind and twist wires together. Jewelry wire comes in many shapes, such as round, square, half round, triangular, flat or patterned. The wire can be made of brass, copper, fine silver, sterling silver, gold or gold filled with other metals. Wire wrap can incorporate cabochons, beads, crystals or the wire alone can be twisted and shaped into bracelets or necklaces.

Over the course of the weekend workshop, students will use techniques including: filing, tumbling, cleaning wire, applying texture and stone hardness to create more complex designs. The instructor will have different projects to satisfy the level of each returning student. Some wire experience is needed, and students should be familiar with basic tools used in jewelry making. Projects will include earrings, pendant, bracelet and rings, as time permits.
Arnold, a native of Virginia, received her BFA at UNC-Asheville. Her work with jewelry involves silver and goldsmithing as well as wire work. Her artwork is found in Brevard, N.C. at Number 7 Arts Co-operative and at the Gem and Mineral Museum in Hendersonville, N.C. She and her family reside in Brevard, N.C.
Advance registration for all workshops is required. For more information about the instructor or workshop including tuition and supply costs, contact Tryon Arts and Crafts School at 828-859-8323 or tryonartsandcrafts@windstream.net. More details and examples of projects are available on the Tryon Arts and Crafts School website, www.TryonArtsandCrafts.org.
– article submitted by Julia McIntyre