https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/woven-bow-charm • Posted by Conn
When I'm upset, I have the urge to create something. Anything. Anyhow, I've been stressed out and nervous about something recently so I released my frustration in the form of making something inspired by this pin . The top part with the bow caught my eye, as it was something that I thought I could replicate and transform with my skills. I really liked my first one (the black one) and decided to make a matching one as to form a set for friendship necklaces, one for me and the other for my friend. I plan to give the silver one to her (we have an ongoing joke that of the two of us, she's the more "pure" one), but in the meantime I made a tutorial for making the bows.
When I'm upset, I have the urge to create something. Anything. Anyhow, I've been stressed out and nervous about something recently so I released my frustration in the form of making something inspired by this pin . The top part with the bow caught my eye, as it was something that I thought I could replicate and transform with my skills. I really liked my first one (the black one) and decided to make a matching one as to form a set for friendship necklaces, one for me and the other for my friend. I plan to give the silver one to her (we have an ongoing joke that of the two of us, she's the more "pure" one), but in the meantime I made a tutorial for making the bows.
To make the thick frame of the bow (that you'll be weaving on), begin by using your ruler and pencil to help you sketch it. Use your ruler and pencil to mark points at the 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 inch places. Then sketch a shape like the one in the second picture above, using those marks as guidelines.
After you've sketched out the shape, use your pliers to trace that shape with your thicker wire (in my case, the 20 gauge wire).
Grab your thinner wire (in my case, the 28 gauge wire) for weaving. Wrap the end of the wire around the top of the thick wire shape and cut off any excess.
Then wrap the wire up over the opposite side of the frame.
Wrap the wire around that side once.
Bring the wire up over the opposite side of the frame.
Wrap the wire around that side once.
This is basically what you're doing.
Repeat those steps again and again until you've gone down the entire length of the frame.
Now grab your thin cylindrical object (I used a paintbrush) and curve the top portion (above the first bulge) down over the cylindrical object.
Then bend the middle (hourglass/bottleneck part) in the opposite direction (so the top part is bent toward you).
Take the cylindrical object again and use it to bend the bottom bulge in the same way that you bent the first bulge.
Here's the bow shape that you should have.
Insert the cut end into what used to be the top curve of the frame.
Pull the wire tightly and wrap the end around the middle of the bow.
To make the first end of the bow, see the picture for the shaping.
Wrap the end of your thin wire around the top of the end of the bow and begin weaving like you wove the first part of the bow. When you get to the corner shown in the picture, wrap the wire around TWICE before going back to the other side. Continue that until the weaving is not slanted as it looks in the picture, and then just go on normally.
When you're done, cut off the excess wire and use pliers to press the cut end as flat as possible.
Shape the thicker wire like shown in the picture.
Then weave that part like you wove the first end of the bow.
When the weaving is complete, cut off excess thin wire and flatten the cut end with pliers. Wrap the thick wire around the middle of the bow once, making sure that the two ends of the bow are as close to the top butterfly part of the bow as possible.
Cut the thick wire short, leaving just enough for curling into a loop.
Use your fingers to adjust the ends of the bow to your liking. Perhaps you want them spaced out and bent in some place; do any or all of that with your fingers.
Repeat all those steps to make a matching pair if you want. You could use the set for a pair of earrings or alternatively do what I'm doing -- give the other one to a friend like a friendship token. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and want to try it out! Have a splendid day!