Let's Talk Wirewoking

As I said, I became interested in wirework a few years ago. There was very little about it online but there was a site called wire-sculpture.com which was owned at that time by Preston J. Reuther. He sold a few tools and had wire and videos.

 

 

 I bought everything to start and his videos and became a Gold Member of his club and I was on my way. His style of Wireworking with the swirls and flourishes is not my favorite but I wanted to learn everything about wire so I could make my own style.

 

Then I discovered, Sharilyn Miller and her book, Bead on a Wire. I ordered the book from Amazon and I never looked back. I am a linear learner and Sharilyn’s teaching style was so good for me. She talks you through with photos of every step including where to put your thumb and how to hold your tool and which way you turn your hand. She leaves nothing to the imagination and I was fine with that. I practiced with my Wire Sculpture beginner’s kit and I became comfortable with the tools and wire. I still love Sharilyn’s book and I use it all of the time to refresh myself on the basics.


Imagine how excited I was when I learned that Sharilyn was going to be teaching at the Wire Master’s Retreat. I signed up for her Tribal Treasures Class and I am so glad I did.

Wireworking is like a computer. There are many ways to get to the same destination. I learned Sharilyn’s way and then became comfortable enough to do it my way. That to me is the sign of a good teacher. They get you going in a comfortable, non-judgmental environment and then you discover your own way.



A fuzzy photo of me with Sharilyn

We went out to dinner with Sharilyn one evening during the retreat and got to know her as a person. She loves her art and loves to try different things. She has written quite a few books. She has a book about Rubber Stamped Jewelry and one on Copper jewelry; she also has many self-published books. I have purchased a few from Amazon for my Kindle.

I love her DVDs because they have the same detailed teaching as in her books and you can stop them any time you want to catch up.

Sharilyn also gives retreats at her home in Idyllwild, California called her “Wild Wire Woman Retreats” that look like a blast. You get a small group together and she will teach a subject that interests your group. She does wirework, metalwork, etching, enameling wire, etc.

Check out her blog at Sharilynmiller.blogspot.com

Well, I have to run. My studio calls and there’s fun awaitin’.

Julie Panusis