Janepher (Jenny) McBride - Wire Artist

In the fall, 2001, my husband and I became Snowbirds, uncertain of where we would spend the winter, but knew that it would be somewhere in the south western States.  We found Quartzsite, Arizona, a town which is known as the gem and mineral capital of North America.  We joined the Quartzsite Roadrunner Gem & Mineral Club, with a versatile and dedicated army of volunteer instructors. A small list of things that we have been able to do there are wire wrapping, wire knitting, silversmithing, casting, knapping, carving, faceting and opals. The list goes on.

I concentrated on learning how to wire wrap cabochons and make knitted wire chains.  Searching for a means of displaying the beauty of the stone, I began to experiment on my own. Over the ensuing years, I have developed my own techniques in wire wrapping and making knitted chains

My husband, Ken, says that I have an artist’s eye when it comes to deciding how a stone should be cut, to best display its natural beauty. Ken does the cutting and polishing. When the stone is finished, I design a setting that encompasses the stone’s natural beauty. We then offer the piece for sale.

For a period of time I was the head instructor for both wire wrapping and wire knitting classes at the Quartzsite Club. I became a well known and a respected instructor in Quartzsite. I have students who come from as far away as San Diego and Palm Springs, California; Phoenix and Brenda, Arizona, and Nova Scotia, Canada for my classes.

In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada I offer Saturday afternoon classes at Britannia United Church, 985 Pinecrest Road. Please call for more information on classes. Check out the Ottawa Lapsmith & Mineral Club for classes on making cabochons, silversmithing, etc.

I also do custom work, pendants, earrings, bangles, rings, necklaces, etc. If you have something special, a stone, a coin or souvenir that you would like to have converted into jewelry, I would be pleased to provide a design and quote.

Our full-time Snowbird days appear over. However my love of teaching wire wrapping and wire knitting keep me warm inside and brings in some extra income.  My wire working is offered for sale at craft shows in the Ottawa area and at the Train Station (local information booth) in Carleton Place, Ontario.

Copyright© - All rights reserved 2007-2011
Rev. 06 May, 2011
Site maintained by: Louise Barabé