Daily Wire Tip Oct. 28: Wrapping Fossils
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
October 28, 2009
Question:
While in Rockport, Massachusetts, I found an ammonite fossil sliced in half and I would like to wrap them into a pendant together either side by side or up and down. Any ideas??
Answer:
Fossils are such wonderful items to make into jewelry. And what better way to set an ancient relic than to use the age old method of wire wrapping! Besides creating a unique piece of wearable art, setting a specimen in a wire design that uses no solder or glue in the process also protects the value of a piece because no physical damage is done to it. One of my students, Jill made a sliced ammonite pair into a butterfly pendant last year, Lindi used her slices to create a pair of earring that naturally match, someone else showed me a necklace where they had wrapped each individually and then attached them side-by-side on a chain and others have just wrapped each slice individually and made two pendants. I always have several different fossils made into pieces for every show I do, as they attract the attention of people who would not otherwise even look at jewelry!
Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong
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ammonite, ammonite fossil, pendants, wire wrap, wire wrapped pendants, wire wrapping with fossils
Filed under:Daily Wire Jewelry Tips‚ Project Help‚ Wire & Wire Wrapping
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I love the answers you provide but I’m a visual person,,,it would be fantastic if you could include some pictures with your answers. Ths Denise
What is an ammonite fossil? I like to know because I may find one by not knowing what is kick to the side.
a link to an image of amonite fossils: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Haeckel_Ammonitida.jpg
they look like snails ….
Hi All,
Ammonites are extinct creatures that looked similar to the modern day nautilus; but are more closely related to to octopus,squid,& cuttlefish. These beasties are found all over the planet and specimans have been found to over 6 .5 feet in diameter. Wikipedia has a great article on them.
I usual use the ones in matrix that are polished Howard Shalasker Company in Massachusetts is a good source for them.
When I make these into pendants I use half hard wire in a wrapped cinch setting, using the ends of the wire for the loop and embellishment. With my cutomers I find that with fossil pendants, Less is more.
Have fun and keep on wrapping
update on comment for ammonites in matrix
Howard Schlansker
Address: 166 Enterprise Drive
Marshfield, Massachusetts 02050-2110
Phone: 781-837-6537
Fax: 781-837-6849
and no I don’t work for him; just been a customer for(dare I say it … decades) This is one of the old men of rockdom. No catalog, no internet, no email. You have to call him to find out what’s in stock. Reasonable prices.wholesale.
I enjoyed your coments and information. I hope I will be lucky enough to find a fossil suitable for jewelry. I also agree we need pictures.
Thanks, Sarah Oneal
PS- I am also hooked on beading.