A jewelry form is any object that can help you shape wire into loops, rings, necklaces, or any other fixed shape. Though you can shape wire using pliers, jewelry forms often make the process easier, particularly when it comes to making decorative shapes that require many twists and turns. The primary form used in making wire jewelry is a jig, though other forms are also used.
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How to Use a Jig
A jig, also called a pegboard, is a board with rows of pegs. You can easily shape wire into an endless variety of regular, repeatable shapes by wrapping the wire around the jig’s pegs in a specific pattern. You can use jigs to produce basic jewelry components, called findings, or intricate loops for pendants or other decorative pieces.
Types of Jigs
You can make your own jig by hammering nails into a board, but store-bought jigs are more precise and yield more regular shapes. Some jig models feature stationary pegs, but it’s best to look for a more versatile jig that allows you to rearrange or remove the pegs. Wigjig (www.wigjig.com) is the most popular producer of jewelry-making jigs.
Jigs may also vary in the size of the pegs they hold. Small pegs are good for detailed work with thinner wire, while bigger pegs are best for creating larger components using thicker wire.
Jig Patterns
You can create your own designs on a jig or follow a pattern. A jig pattern is essentially a map that shows you where the pegs in your jig should be placed, as well as how to wrap your wire around the pegs.
Other Jewelry Forms
Any rounded object that can withstand the pressure of a wire being bent around it can serve as a wire jewelry form—dowels, batteries, and knitting needles are a few examples. You can also buy a tool called a mandrel—a tapered metal dowel with circumference measurements printed on its side—to create loops, curves, or rings of various sizes.
Ear Wire Form
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Unlike many findings and components, ear wires are not round, symmetrical shapes. Their irregularity can make them challenging to create on your own, unless you first make an ear wire form (earring hooks) to help you bend ear wires. To make an ear wire form, tape a round dowel onto the top edge of a piece of foam. The foam should be slightly thinner than the diameter of the dowel, and the dowel should extend farther than the foam (for details on how to use ear wire forms to create ear wires, see How to Make Earring Hooks).
