[Jewelry making - Article 00116] - Re: [Orchid] Soumak Metal Weaving

[Steven Brixner]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

Karen,

    When weaving rugs using the soumak technique, generally you do a row
    or two of wrapped warp threads and then a normal weft shot that goes
    over and under, to hold the knots in place and stabilize the
    structure. Because the yarn is elastic to some extent, you can pack
    these normal weft shots tight enough so they disappear between the
    rows of wrapping. With metal, this is much more difficult. You may
    need to forget the normal weft shots, do them in a basket weave (over
    and under two warp wires at a time) or space your warp wires further
    apart. 

    For packing rows closer together, use a heavy wooden or plastic
    comb. A metal fork would work as well, but may leave dents on your
    wires. 

    Practice with some thin copper wire. With practice you will develop
    a rhythm to your weaving and the rows will become straighter and
    straighter. Concentrate on keeping the tension on your weft wire
    constant. 

    Keep your weft wire wrapped on a flat shuttle and only unwrap just
    enough to do your weaving. Working with a long piece of wire will
    tend to work harden the loose end more than you want. 

Steve Brixner
____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________