Drutowe

Drutowe is a Polish term that describes objects made of wire or the practice of working with wire, often in the context of jewelry and decorative arts. As an adjective, drutowe denotes something constructed from wire; as a noun, it can refer to the craft or the resulting pieces, such as drutowe jewelry or drutowe sculptures.

The practice, commonly called wirework in English, uses bending, twisting, looping, weaving, and sometimes soldering to join wires. Tools include pliers (round-nose, flat-nose, chain-nose), cutters, mandrels, and files. Common metals are copper, brass, aluminum, steel, and increasingly silver and gold; nonmetal wires and coated wires are also used.

Techniques vary from simple forms—rings, earrings, spirals—to complex sculptures. Designers often shape wire around mandrels to create uniform rings or bezels for beads, tightly wrap sections to secure beads, or weave wires into cables or netting patterns. Finishing steps can involve polishing, patination, and sealing or soldering joints for stability.

Drutowe has historical roots in folk crafts and metalworking traditions, but today it is a popular entry point into jewelry making and contemporary sculpture. It is taught in craft schools and widely practiced in DIY communities, with online tutorials and pattern books expanding access to various styles, from minimal geometric forms to intricate filigree-inspired designs.