La Principessa is one of Maryilyn Clayton’s pieces that she is very proud of and it employs various types of wire work.

Principess Necklace

This necklace began with a foundation of base wires which is the foundation for this piece. Very thin wire is then woven to make the woven silver seen on the lower part of the work.  The Ametrine stones (citrine and Ametrine blended together in nature) were wired in afterwards.  Next came the braid that you see in rose gold-filled and silver on the top-most section.  This was formed using an ancient Japanese braiding technique called Kumihimo.

Kumihimo bracelet

Also pictured is a bracelet which is also formed using the kumihimo disc with leather strips for a very different look.

Drop by the gallery today or tomorrow while Marilyn is on duty,  and she’ll do a demonstration of the technique should that interest you.