| Brooches can be created very simply; buying | | | | centrepiece and then pull it through the centre of |
| jewellery findings such as brooch blanks and gluing | | | | the flower and out through the back of the piece. |
| stones or mosaic pieces to them. Pins can be | | | | Once again, using the round-nosed pliers, roll the |
| glued to the backs of the blanks and a very basic | | | | end of the wire in on itself to form a securing |
| brooch is made. A popular effect is layering. Not | | | | seal. This can then be flattened using the pliers |
| only does it add an intricacy to the piece, but | | | | and a small amount of glue used to act as |
| stones can also be incorporated for eye-catching | | | | security. |
| effects. Round-nosed pliers are advisable in this | | | | Attaching pins, or pinbacks, can be either glued or |
| process to cope with minute manipulation of the | | | | soldered on. Soldering is an advanced technique |
| wire involved. | | | | that requires specialist equipment and is more |
| Firstly, you need to decide on the backing for | | | | suited to attaching clasps and other jewelery |
| your brooch: gold, or silver. Once you have made | | | | findings to denser brooch-bases, such as blanks. |
| your choice, you will need gold or silver half-hard | | | | Depending on the materials you have used to |
| wire; - 0.50 mm in diameter. The hardness of | | | | create your brooch, you may or may not want |
| these wires makes them perfect for incorporating | | | | to seal them. This should be done before |
| small beads, gems or pearls into your design. | | | | attaching the pinback. All raw brass should be |
| Take one continuous length and, using your | | | | sealed, as it will oxidise and discolour if it is not. |
| round-nosed pliers, create a tine curve in one end; | | | | There are many spray lacquers available, but it |
| this will act as a seal. Form a looping circle and | | | | should be noted that many of them create toxic |
| place your beads, stones or pearls onto the wire. | | | | fumes and should only be used in well-ventilated |
| Looping the wire into petal shapes, form the | | | | areas. Glass and gemstones do not need sealing, |
| outline of a flower. Depending on how much wire | | | | but pieces of porcelain and anything that is |
| you have, you can continue to loop petal shapes | | | | unglazed will require it. Once sealed, the brooch |
| and layer them onto the petals behind, forming a | | | | should be given 8 - 12 hours to dry and a further |
| succession of overlapping petals. These do not | | | | 8 hours once the pinback has been added. |
| have to be perfectly aligned; it is often more | | | | Some lacquers continue to release gases for up |
| interesting to see the petals at the back, as well | | | | to three days after spraying and, if this is the |
| as those on top. Ensure, however that you leave | | | | case, the piece should be allowed to rest for that |
| enough wire free to fix a central stone or gem. | | | | time, before wearing. |
| Thread the exposed wire through your chosen | | | | |