draadvorm

Draadvorm is a term used in metalworking and jewelry design to describe a three-dimensional form created primarily by bending and twisting wire. In Dutch, draad means wire and vorm means form; older orthography sometimes writes draadvorm as a single word. The concept emphasizes the creation of lightweight, open structures that define shape through the geometry of the wire itself.

Techniques involved in draadvorm include shaping a continuous wire or assembling multiple wires to establish an outer contour and internal skeleton. Practitioners use pliers of various shapes, mandrels, and sometimes soldering or adhesive to secure joints. Considerations during fabrication include maintaining balance and symmetry, managing springback after bending, and choosing accurate connection points to ensure structural integrity.

Materials commonly used for draadvorm are metals such as copper, brass, sterling silver, and gold-filled wires. Wire gauges range from fine to moderately stout, depending on the desired rigidity and scale. Finishes can be left raw, patinated, polished, or treated with protective coatings. The technique often favors simple, repeatable bends and transitions that contribute to an airy silhouette.

Applications of draadvorm span jewelry and sculpture. In jewelry, it is employed to create earrings, bracelets, and necklaces with open, skeletal aesthetics. In sculpture and design, wire-based forms can serve as armatures, decorative frameworks, or lightweight models for larger concepts. Draadvorm sits within a family of wire-based practices, distinct from wire wrapping by its emphasis on shaping an explicit form rather than securing elements around a core. See also wire sculpture and armature.