Jan Stephens

Master Wire Jewelry Artisan

Innovative Wire Jewelry

Jan Stephens, the instructor of Innovative Wire Jewelry has been featured in several magazines including Southern Distinction Magazine
and in Step-By-Step Wire Jewelry Magazine. She lives in Watkinsville, Georgia and teaches wire jewelry at Woman Creative in Buford,
GA, the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education, the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Athens Technical College-
Department of Continuing Education, Quinlan Art Center in Gainesville, GA, in local arts and crafts stores and her very own Wrapsody
Jewelry Studio. She has recently been selected to teach at Wildacres, in Little Switzerland, North Carolina in April 2011. With a thirty-one
year career as a professional educator and refined trainer, Jan melds her teaching expertise, intuition and distinctive design talents to
provide an optimum training environment to grow beginning students into advanced creators of wire jewelry art.

Jan has a diverse arts background that includes classical piano, interior design, watercolor, textile creations, and ultimately jewelry design.
She uses free-form creativity and an artistic flair to make her one-of-a-kind, improvisational pieces. Shining strands of sterling silver and
14 karat gold-filled along with a sparkling array of semi-precious gem stones, innovative materials and artifacts give her jewelry a uniquely
elegant, refined look. Jan is an intuitive jewelry artist creating intricate and highly distinctive pieces of wearable art.

Within the past ten years she has studied annually at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts and with renowned jewelry artists from
across the country. Under her studio name of Wrapsody Jewelry Studio, she displays her designs on her website
(www.wrapsodyjewelry.com), at trunk shows, local jewelry and retail stores and private showings.
In her fun filled jewelry classes, Jans students will learn the fundamentals of wire art jewelry. Bracelets, earrings, rings and pendants will
be created of silver, copper or brass wire and will incorporate natural stones, beads and faceted gems into various simple, yet elegant
designs. Her classes are an entertaining and educational experience where students take lifetime skills as well as treasures with them at
the end of each class.

Innovative Wire Art Jewelry Classes
Master Wire Jewelry Artist Jan Stephens
Women Creative - Buford, GA

The instructor limits the number of students to twelve so that each person will have adequate assistance with
the projects. Students must be at least 16 years of age to register for the class.
Beginning to Intermediate students will learn the fundamentals of wire art jewelry. In these wire wrapping and
wire sculpting classes we will create bracelets, rings and pendants of wire and will incorporate natural stones,
beads and faceted gems into various simple, yet elegant designs. Get ready for a fun and educational
experience taking lifetime skills as well as treasures with you at the end of each class.
There are tools available for students to use or they are welcome to bring their own tools, supplies, etc.
Note: Materials and supplies are additional and vary depending on the type of wire (practice wire or precious
metal) and gemstones selected by the student. The instructor will have supplies, materials and tools available
for purchase or the student can obtain their own supplies.
Donut Cabochon Pendant Class

Students will make a beautiful pendant
using a Two-Strand technique and a
donut style stone. Students will learn
an innovative bale technique, the
traditional wire binding used in most
wire wrapped projects and will learn a
number of creative embellishment
strategies to finish the work and make
it uniquely their own. All kinds of
beads, gemstones, twists and turns
will be added to the piece making the
possibilities endless and the result
distinctive and beautiful.



Materials

1 - 25mm or larger doughnut
stone
24 inches 22 gauge square
dead soft wire in Silver, Gold-
filled, Copper, tinned copper or
Brass
6 inches 20 gauge half-round,
half-hard wire in Silver, Gold-
filled, Copper, tinned copper or
Brass
2mm-5mm beads in Silver,
Gold-filled, Copper, pewter,
white metal or Brass and/or
snap-set w/czs

Basic Wire Bangle Bracelet Class

In this session the student will
construct a classic wire bangle bracelet
that provides an excellent opportunity
for working with multiple strands of
wire at once and is perfect for
practicing bindings which are a crucial
part of almost all wire wrapped jewelry
projects. Later students can use this
same basic bracelet to expand their
designs into more complex projects.


Materials

28 inches 21 gauge square dead
soft wire in Silver, Gold-filled,
Copper, tinned copper or Brass
21 inches 21 gauge square, half
hard wire in Silver, Gold-filled,
Copper, tinned copper or Brass
75 inches 20 gauge half-round,
half hard wire in Silver, Gold-filled,
Copper, tinned copper or Brass
6 inches 18 gauge round, dead
soft wire in Silver, Gold-filled,
Copper, tinned copper or Brass

Rings and More Rings Class

In this session the students will make
a bead ring using a focal bead and
other accent beads. They will learn to
handle a ring mandrel, will learn about
ring sizing, shank wrapping and
practice with keeping the wire on
square. Next they will make an
adjustable Filigree Ring using three
pieces of square wire. They will
practice binding, using a mandrel,
sizing, and will learn the rosette
embellishment technique.


Materials - Rings and More Rings
Class

10 inches 21 gauge square,
dead soft wire in silver, gold-
filled, copper, tinned copper or
brass
16 inches 21 gauge square,
half hard wire in silver, gold-
filled, copper, tinned copper or
brass
40 inches 20 gauge half-
round, half hard wire in silver,
gold-filled, copper, tinned
copper or brass
One 8 mm bead with a hole
large enough to accommodate
the 21 gauge wire






Teardrop of Joy Pendant

This project will reinforce the
importance of measuring accurately,
binding using a diagonal wrap, shaping
wire using a mandrel and the
construction of a contemporary bail. It
will also incorporate the use of beads
in the design that can give the
pendant so many possibilities in
design.


Materials

26 inches - 22 gauge square,
dead soft wire in silver, gold-
filled, copper, tinned copper or
brass
26 inches - 20 gauge half-
round, half-hard in silver, gold-
filled, copper, tinned copper or
brass
1 - 2 inch head pin in matching
metal
2 or 3 8mm-10mm Beads
2 - 2.5mm matching metal
beads

Ten Bead Bracelet

In this project the students will learn
to incorporate beads into a banded
bracelet, to calculate size of the
bracelet, to bend multiple wires at an
angle and to design and attach a
clasp.


Materials

21 gauge dead soft 16 inches
(twisted)
21 gauge half hard - 32 inches
18 gauge round dead soft 7
inches (for clasp)
22 or 24 gauge wire (round or
square to thread beads) 8
inches
4-5 mm wide bead tubes or 4-
5mm round beads (20 to 50
depending on the length of the
bead)
2.5-3mm beads to match the
metal (16-20)




Hug Ring


In this project the students will learn
to work with multiple wires to build a
project, to size a ring to an exact size
using the ring mandrel, and to finish
and file a project so that it is neat and
comfortable to the wearer. This is a
unisex ring. It is extremely durable
and practical.





Materials


21 gauge square dead soft wire-
10 inches
21 gauge square half hard wire-
20 inches
20 gauge half round half hard
wire-24 inches

Traditional Sculpted Pendant


During this session students will learn
how to capture a cabochon stone using
two pieces of round wire and a special
wire sculpting technique. This is the
most difficult of all of the projects and
it will round out the students
knowledge base by giving the students
another strategy in framing a stone to
become a piece of wearable art.






Materials

30-40 Inches - 18 gauge -
round, dead soft wire in silver,
gold-filled, copper, tinned
copper or brass (Depending on
the size stone that you select to
wrap.)
One medium size cabochon or
other oval or round shaped, flat
object.





Spiral Links Bracelet


In this class students will make a
spiral link bracelet. They will learn
hammering techniques, measurement,
buffing and polishing techniques and
many of the basic wire skills and
terminologies necessary to this art
form. No solder or glue is used; just
copper, silver plate or brass wire and
simple tools.




Materials


18 gauge dead soft wire 5 feet
Faceted Stone Ring with Snap-Set


Students will make a lovely faceted
stone ring using a 6mm faceted stone
and wire. They will create the ring
using two lengths of square wire and
will learn to handle and size rings
using a ring mandrel. They will also
learn a number of creative
embellishment strategies to finish the
work and make it uniquely their own.





Materials


1 - 6mm faceted gemstone
1 6mm snap-set
28 inches 21 gauge square
dead soft wire in silver plate,
brass, copper or tinned copper
20 inches 21 gauge half-
round, half-hard wire in silver
plate, brass, copper or tinned
copper





Contemporary Sculpted Bead
Pendant


In this project the students will learn
o To form a pendant using beads
o To sculpt wire into a frame
o To embellish a pendant at the
bail
o To become more proficient at
constructing the traditional bail.

This is a wonderful pendant that has
been one of my greatest sellers.



Materials



21 gauge square dead soft wire
- 30 inches in silver plate, brass,
copper or tinned copper
21 gauge half round, half-hard
wire - 5 to 15 inches in silver
plate, brass, copper or tinned
copper
1-6 assorted beads depending
on the size

Coiled Wire Bracelet, Earrings and
other Coiled Embellishment
Techniques



In this session the student will
construct a coiled wire bangle bracelet
that provides an excellent opportunity
learning to use the Coiling tool. The
possibilities are endless when students
learn this wire method. Students can
use this same basic method to expand
their designs into more complex rings,
pendants, earrings and bracelet
projects.




Materials



24 feet 20 gauge round, dead
soft wire silver plate, brass,
copper or tinned copper
26 inches -18 gauge round,
dead soft wire in silver plate,
brass, copper or tinned copper
4 fish-hook earring wires in
matching wire.
Seed beads of desired color.



Border Wrap Pendant with
Traditional Bail

In this class, students will learn to wire
wrap a coin or cabochon using square
wire and an oval cabochon or coin. If
desired, you can embellish it with wire
swirls and curls for a more dramatic
look. Once you have mastered this
technique, you will be able to wire
wrap a variety of shapes and sizes of
cabochons, stones and large beads.













Materials


22 gauge square, dead soft wire
- 24 to 65 inches (depending on
stone)
20 gauge half round, half hard
wire - 21-35 inches
1 Cabachon (Oval or Round) or
coin

Double Spiral and Figure 8
Bracelets


In this project the students will learn
o To sculpt wire into Rosettes
o To form a figure 8 design
using the bail making tool.
o To measure for correct bracelet
length.
o To make a hook and eye clasp.
o To texturize metal using a ball
peen hammer






Materials



14 gauge round, dead soft wire
in copper, brass, aluminum or
silver plate 5 feet
8 gauge round, dead soft wire -
28 inches in aluminum
24 to 48 6mm beads if desired
for embellishment







WigJig Duplex Earrings


In this session the student will learn to
straighten wire with nylon jaw pliers,
make a P loop, make an eye loop,
open and close jump rings to connect
jewelry components, and use a WigJig
tool to make wire components. This
project incorporates the use of beads
in the design that allows endless
possibilities in the design. Many
different patterns will be learned and
approximately 4-6 pairs of earrings
will be made in this session.


Materials (Per Pair of Earrings)


10 inches - 20 gauge square,
dead soft wire in silver plate,
brass, copper or tinned copper
2 inch fish-hook earwires in
matching metal
6 headpins in matching metal
6 6mm crystal beads

Wire Bangle Bracelet with Braided
Wire Insert


In this session the student will
construct a wire bangle bracelet that
provides an excellent opportunity for
working with multiple strands of wire
at once and is perfect for practicing
bindings which are a crucial part of
almost all wire wrapped jewelry
projects. Later students can use this
same basic bracelet to expand their
designs into more complex projects.


Materials

48 inches 21 gauge square
half-hard wire in Silver, Gold-
filled, Copper, tinned copper or
Brass
25 inches 21 gauge half-
round, half hard wire in Silver,
Gold-filled, Copper, tinned
copper or Brass
6 inches 18 gauge round,
dead soft wire in Silver, Gold-
filled, Copper, tinned copper or
Brass
18 inches 18 gauge round,
dead soft wire in Silver, Gold-
filled, Copper, tinned copper or
Brass



The Importance of Findings -
Clasps, Earrings, Earrings and
more Earrings


Students will learn that findings are
jewelry parts that are used to attach
something to a chain, bracelet, or ear
wire. They will make a variety of
fancy headpins, clasps, plain and fancy
ear wires, and will complete a variety
of different earring projects in this
session using these hand-formed
parts.


Materials



Miscellaneous Beads from 2mm
12 mm
72 inches 20 gauge round
half-hard wire in Silver, Gold-
filled, Copper or Brass
24 inches 18 gauge round,
dead soft wire in Silver, Gold-
filled, Copper or Brass

Touch of Greece-Link Collar


This is a project that will teach the
students how to build a collar style
necklace using links. This technique
builds on prior projects and will help
students understand more about
working with metal. The links can be
formed in the shape of rosettes,
squares or triangles as shown. This is
a stunning collar.




Materials


18 gauge round dead soft wire.
(See back of jig to calculate
length of wire needed for each
link.)
2-4mm chain in same metal if
you want the back half to be
chain.
Jig
Ball Peen Hammer





Hammered Swiggly Bracelet and
Earring

In this class students will make a
jewelry set that includes a bracelet
and pair of earrings. They will learn
hammering techniques, learn to use a
jig, and many of the basic wire wrap
techniques necessary to this art form.
A wide range of glass or gemstone
beads and findings can be selected,
making the possibilities endless and
the result unique and beautiful. No
solder or glue is used, just copper,
silver or 14K Rolled Gold wire, beads,
gemstones and simple tools.


Materials



22 gauge round, dead soft = 12
inches
20 gauge round, dead soft = 3
inches
18 gauge round, dead soft = 23
inches
Head pins (2 in.) = 2
7 beads (10 to 12 mm)
Nail template/jig


Confetti Pendant

In this class students will complete a
pendant using a two-strand technique
and a Swarovski Elements Crystal
Frame. Students will learn an
innovative bale technique, review the
traditional wire binding used in most
wire wrapped projects and will learn a
number of creative embellishment
strategies to finish the work and make
it uniquely their own piece of wearable
art. The design provides an
opportunity for the student to sculpt
multiple strands of wire into a unique
art form and embellish the piece with
multi-colored crystals, gorgeous
faceted stones using the snap-set
process and other fancy beads.


Materials List

30 inches 22 gauge square,
dead soft Sterling Silver
12 inches 20 gauge half-
round, half-hard Sterling Silver
3 to 5 5mm round faceted
stones multi-colored
3 to 5 5mm sterling silver
snap-settings for round stones
3 Crystal Balls 4 mm
3 Bicone 4 mm Crystals
(assorted-colored mix)
8-10 assorted sterling silver
2mm 3mm beads
1 30 mm Swarovski Elements
Crystal Precision-Cut Square
Rings with Silver Colored
Backing


Border Wrap Pendant with
Contemporary Bail



In this class, students will learn to wire
wrap a cabochon using square wire
and an oval or fancy shaped cabochon.
You will learn how to construct a
contemporary bail and you will
discover an embellishment technique
using small beads for a classic refined
look. Once you have mastered this
technique, you will be able to wire
wrap a variety of shapes and sizes of
cabochons, stones and large beads.




Materials




22 gauge square, dead soft wire
- 24 to 65 inches (depending on
stone)
20 gauge half round, half hard
wire - 30-45 inches
1 Cabachon (Oval or Round)
15-20 2.5-3 mm beads

Friendship Bangle



In this class students will learn to
sculpt hard, square wire around beads
to form an interesting and classic
bangle. You will also learn an
innovative clasp technique and will
become skilled in sizing bracelets and
bangles for a perfect fit.


Materials



22 gauge square, half hard
wire- 10 inches
20 or 21 gauge square, half
hard wire-28 inches
20 gauge half round, half hard
wire-7 inches
8mm beads 6 to 8 depending
on bracelet size
6mm beads 10 to 14
depending on bracelet size







Pocket Book Pendant



In this class students will learn how to
capture a rectangular stone in an
innovative technique using four
strands of square wire. You will learn
the traditional binding and a distinctive
bail style. The pendant can be
embellished with a variety of beads,
curls and swirls to make it uniquely
your own.




Materials



22 gauge square dead soft wire-
35 inches
20 gauge half round, half hard
wire-25 inches
Various Beads to
compliment/enhance the stone



Grecian Earrings



In this class students will learn to
make a pair of earrings in a multi-step
process. This is a more complex
project and should be attempted after
completing a number of wire projects.
It requires skill in binding, measuring,
and shaping using a mandrel.






Materials





22 gauge dead soft wire - 54
inches
20 gauge half round, half hard
wire 14 inches
2 ear wires or ball post








Coiled Wire Elegant Bangle
Bracelet

In this class the students will make an
attractive bracelet using a distinctive
technique achieved with the assistance
of a Coiling Gizmo. Students will
discover how
o To twist a double strand of wire
o To coil wire using a coiling tool
o To construct single coiled wire
beads
o To construct a double coiled
focal bead
o To construct a swan clasp
o To sizing and fitting a bracelet


Materials




20 gauge round, dead soft wire,
16 ft
18 gauge round, dead soft wire,
3 ft
4 Sterling Silver Beads 8-10 mm
10 Sterling Silver Spacers
Coiling Gizmo