Sand N Stones, Delaware and Nature Shoppe, in Lewes, Delaware is where Lapadary Artisan Michele J. Buckler’s sells her wire framed jewelry. She has been collecting stones, sea glass and beach treasures since she was a young girl in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. She has been able to turn her passion for gemstones, sea glass or beach glass, sea china and Cape May bay diamonds, into a business. She offers a collection of 14 K Gold-Filled, rose gold, and Anti-Tarnish (Argentium AG925) Sterling Silver or a combination of both (two tone) wire wrapped jewelry. Each design is handcrafted by Michele Buckler.
“Mother Nature Does The Artwork, I Put A Frame around It!”
You can choose a gem out of one of the cases in the store to be wrapped, or she will be happy to custom wrap a special gemstone, coin, sea glass or beach glass, broken fine bone china or pottery, arrowhead, Cape May (A.K.A. Bay) diamond, glass shards, coin, button, Swarovski Crystal, beads, or almost anything that you already own. She will also be glad to put a new look to an old piece of jewelry. She makes
necklaces pendants, pins, earrings, rings, and bolo ties, using a variety of common and uncommon gems. In most cases Michele can wire wrap it for you while you are enjoying your day in Lewes, Delaware.
History of Wire Wrapped Jewelry
No one really knows when or where the ancient art of wire wrap originated. It is known that Egyptian and Phoenician artists practiced the art over 5,000 years ago. It is the only known metal jewelry that is created completely without soldering or casting. The wire used may be from many alloys such as copper, brass, sterling silver or gold.
Surviving records show that jewelry from the 17th century and earlier was made by braiding, twisting and knotting as part of their design motifs, similar to what you find in wire wrapping today.
Certainly jewelry of any sort was rare in that time, but what was available was usually in silver. It was mostly worn by merchants or someone with some social and monetary standing. Many people were farmers and merchants so their jewelry needed to be very wearable and sturdy.
Although this art was lost for a while in history, it reappeared during the Victorian Era, where its popularity surpassed traditional caste jewelry. In the last 30 years, wire wrapped jewelry has continued to increase in popularity due to uniqueness, flexibility, and the “create ability” of its artisans.
