This challenge is deceptively simple: build a piece using only 6 to 10 wires. That's it. That's the whole rule. But here's where it gets good. When you're not allowed to reach for wire #11 just because you can, you're forced to ask a much harder question: what is this wire actually doing? Not "what's it doing right now," but everything it's capable of doing. As a regenerative landscaper who was certified in permaculture design in 2011, one principle really stuck with me and is literally now a part of my entire life. That principle is this: everything must serve multiple functions. The more functions it serves, the better that one thing is for the whole of the environment of the farm/ranch/or property I design. But now, I've translated this principle to wire wrapping and now each wire must serve multiple functions to be a part of the piece. Not always, of course, but its a general principle I carry through all of my work, and I believe quite strongly that this challenge will show everyone the importance of tying everything together. A wire that anchors a stone can also be the wire that adds structural rigidity. It can travel across the piece and become part of the aesthetic linework. It can wrap back and close a loop that ties two components together, or locks the component back to the frame. One wire, three or four jobs. That's the mindset shift this challenge is built around. Every single wire has to earn its place by pulling double, triple, even quadruple duty. This is also an invitation to push your edge in two directions: Go long. A single wire can travel further than you think. Try letting one looong wire span, connect, and anchor multiple points in a freeform build instead of introducing a new wire every time you need a new function. Go back and simplify. Take a piece you've already made, one that maybe used 15, 20, 25 wires, and ask yourself: could this exist in 6 to 10? What would you have to combine, extend, or rethink to get there? I built my Orbit design out of this exact constraint; six wires total, where every single one is holding multiple components together, adding strength, and carrying the visual rhythm of the piece all at once. That's the kind of intentionality this challenge is designed to unlock.

Quick reminder for our free members: access for free members is quite limited. For $30/mo you will gain full access to everything in CraftyFingas Academy: every tutorial, every challenge, and all written content. Premium memberships can be canceled at any time, and started at any time, and you can join for 1 month, learn a bunch, then cancel until you are ready to pick up new material. This week's highlights: New Challenge us now Live — Week 3 brings "The 6-10 Wire Challenge!" It's posted in the Challenges course for All-Access members, and pinned to the Challenge Board chat room for our free members to check out too. Free Tutorials are now easier to find. We've added a dedicated module inside the Free Classes course, so free members can jump straight to our free tutorial content without digging around. Coming This Weekend: A brand new free Polishing Tutorial, dropping across our website, YouTube, Vimeo, and here on CFA. This tutorial is to teach how to get rid if those knicks and scars out of our wire and bring it to a full mirror polish Slowly building out our About page with more photos and videos to help new members understand what CraftyFingas is all about. Fiercely's Back in Full Force: With Soma Teas and Tonics events winding down for the week, Fiercely has had more bandwidth to show up in the community, and itsgreat to have her more present! Looking ahead: more videos breaking down CraftyFingas construction systems are on the way.

Well hello beautiful people! Big news: CraftyFingas Academy is hosting its very first giveaway, and we couldn't be more excited to kick this off with you all. The Prize: Winner's choice of either: A $50 gift card to Rio Grande (stock up on your wire, stones, or tools), OR A gem parcel valued at $50–$100 from our personal collection of stones picked just for you. When: This giveaway runs through the end of August, with the winner announced right here in the community. How to Enter: It's simple, just comment below, and you're automatically entered! That's it. One comment, one entry, no extra hoops to jump through. [This giveaway is limited to 1 entry per person] Comment: comment what you would choose and how it would help you. Winner will be randomly selected and announced at the end of the month. Can't wait to celebrate with one of you soon!