Making Wire Jewelry for Men
by Dale Armstrong
Question:

Hi Dale, I am having a hard time making men's jewelry look like men's jewelry. Do you have any advice on making men's jewelry?

-Judy in Danielsville, Georgia
Instructions
Answer:

Hi Judy! Here are the most simple ways I know to make wire jewelry look more masculine:

  • Use a heavier gauge wire
  • Leave off the frills.
  • Use larger, more "earthy" stones

    For example, a nice idea for a man's cabochon pendant would be to make a 25 x 30mm (hematite, black onyx, lapis, tiger-eye, picture jasper, etc) cabochon with a 21-gauge wire frame, and a plain bail. To finish the extra wires at the top, you could either just cut them all a bit longer than the wrapping under them, give each end a slight curve toward the wrap and use flat-nose pliers to press them against the wrap. Or, you could trim all of the wires to about 1/4" long and use chain-nose pliers to give each a slight curve at their ends and then flat nose pliers to spin them toward the wraps, forming a "coronet" topping.
  • Dale Armstrong's Making Wire Jewelry for Men - , Wire Jewelry Design, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Design, Coronet Cabochon Bail Topping
    Dale Armstrong's Making Wire Jewelry for Men - , Wire Jewelry Design, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Design, Rope Cabochon Bail Topping
    Men's bracelets are pretty easy to make. I like to use a 20-gauge wire, with either a herringbone, or a single twisted wire on each edge, with a 16-gauge hook and eye clasp. The "Classic Cabochon" or "Pharaoh's Ring" is a man's design to begin with (we women have just taken it over). This ring looks awesome when made with 21-gauge or even 20-gauge wire and a simple, classic stone such as black onyx, tigereye, or a sapphire cabochon.

    Dale Armstrong's Making Wire Jewelry for Men - , Wire Jewelry Design, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Design, Cabochon Ring
    In my opinion, "old school" men are the most difficult to please with our wire designs. Just keep it very simple, earthy and bold!

    Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

    Materials

    Beginner Series - Part 7
    DVD-BEG7
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $34.95
    • Gold Club Price: $26.21
    Out of Stock
    Wire
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    Matte Onyx 22x30mm Oval Cabochon - Pack of 1
    E8-20E
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $5.32
    • Gold Club Price: $3.99
    Add to Bag
    Tiger Eye 22x30mm Oval Cabochon - Pack of 1
    E8-10E
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $8.57
    • Gold Club Price: $6.43
    Out of Stock
    Lapis 22x30mm Oval Cabochon - Pack of 1
    E8-12E
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $7.17
    • Gold Club Price: $5.38
    Out of Stock
    Add All Items to Cart

    Tools

    Chain Nose Wire Pliers
    G2-508
    • G2-508
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $32.95
    • Gold Club Price: $24.71
    Add to Bag
    6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
    G2-503
    • G2-503
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $18.95
    • Gold Club Price: $14.21
    Add to Bag
    Flat Nose Wire Pliers
    G2-506
    • G2-506
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $32.95
    • Gold Club Price: $24.71
    Add to Bag
    Round Nose Wire Pliers
    G2-507
    • G2-507
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $32.95
    • Gold Club Price: $24.71
    Add to Bag
    Xuron Flush Cutter - Pack of 1
    G2-504
    • G2-504
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $29.95
    • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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    Stainless Steel Ring Mandrel Sizes 1-15
    G7-2
    • G7-2
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $32.95
    • Gold Club Price: $24.71
    Add to Bag
    Add All Items to Cart
    • Category: Design
    • Technique(s): Wrapping, Design