Wire Wrapping Projects
Wire Wrapping Projects
Wire Wrapping Projects
basic techniques p. 22
Contents 2
gone fishing bracelet
tools & supplies Adorable wrapped fish links.
• 20-gauge dead soft wire, 3'
• 26-gauge dead soft wire, 12' SKILL LEVEL
• 4mm Crystallized™—Swarovski Elements
BY MONICA HAN
bicones, 6
• Size 0 crimp tubes, 12
• Round nose pliers Summer’s here. While you’re enjoying lazy summer
• Chain nose pliers, 2 pairs
days, make yourself this cute bracelet. Materials for this
project are for a 7" bracelet with six fish links. Each fish
• Flush cutters
link is about 1.15" long, the last one for the clasp is a little
• Ruler
longer. You can adjust the size of the fish links to fit your
Photo of finished piece by Jim Lawson; all other photos bracelet length.
courtesy of the author This is freeform weaving. You can also tighten the weav-
ing for a more uniformed look.
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page 4
1 Cut 6" of 20g wire. Meaure ½" in
from one end and bend the wire 2 Use chain nose pliers to hold
both wire ends ½" in from the 3 Wrap the short end a couple of
times around both wires, trim,
back against itself. Squeeze the two bend. Bend the short end up. Hold and press the wire end against the
ends together. both wire ends at ¾" if making the last back. Leave a space of ¼" to the left
fish link for the bracelet. of the loop you just made, and bend
the long end up.
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page 5
Monica Han
has been beading since 2002 and
teaching since 2005. She has won
Swarovski® and Fire Mountain
Gems™ and Beads design contests.
Her jewelry has been featured in
several beading magazines. Monica
can be reached at mhan@dream-
the frame. Trim and press in the end. to make a hook. Connect to the nose
Repeat Steps 1–10 to make five more of next fish. Close the hooks until you
fish links. get to the last fish link. The last link
should have a longer hook, because it
will be the clasp. Bend the fish links a
little so the fish are curvy and appear
to be in motion.
wiretips
• Do not overwork the 26g wire, or
else it will break. Straighten the wire
often to avoid kinks.
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page 6
chunky carnelian ring
Christine Haynes
wiretip
has designed jewelry for
talk show hosts, fashion
shows and photo shoots.
Her work and articles have been featured
in several publications and on various web • 18g wire will make a chunkier ring.
sites such as Sister Speak Online 24g wire will make a more deli-
6 Put the ring back on the mandrel.
Gently tap the ring down with a
Magazine, and Fire Mountain Gems and
Beads. Christine can be contacted through
cate nest.
rubber mallet, to harden the wire and her Web site at: www.fezelry.com
size the ring. Repeat until the ring is
the desired size and shape. Be careful
to avoid the stone.
bird’s
nest
pendant
tools & supplies
• 12-gauge copper wire, 5"
• 20-gauge copper wire, 36"
• 3 glass egg beads on a wire
• Round nose pliers
• Flat nose pliers
• Flush cutters Copper wire with lampworked eggs.
• Chasing hammer
• Household claw hammer SKILL LEVEL
• Steel bench block
BY SALLY STEVENS
• Mandrel, ½" diameter
• Dapping block and punches
• Metal file Being a long-time bird enthusiast and photographer, all
things bird-related are inspiring to me. Add my addiction to wire
Resources: Glass egg beads on wire available
from Sunroom Studios, sunroomstudios
wrapping, and this sweet bird’s nest pendant evolved. To make
online.com the nest more welcoming, I asked my lampwork artist daughter,
Shannon, to make three tiny glass eggs to enhance my nest. Voilá!
Photo of finished piece by Jim Lawson, all other photos
courtesy of the author.
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page 9
1 To form the branch, cut 5" of 12g
wire, and file the ends until smooth 2 While still holding the coil in the
jaws, gently curve the tail of wire 3 Flatten the curves and the un-
coiled end of the wire slightly with
with a metal file. Flatten the wire 2" into an S shape. If necessary, use an- a chasing hammer.
from one end with a chasing hammer. other pair of round nose pliers to help
Coil the flattened end around the jaw of curve the wire.
round nose pliers three times.
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page 10
wiretips
• The pendant may be worn on
a ribbon, chain or collar or used
as an ornament. Try using ster-
ling wire or different colored
11 Cut the tails of 20g wire to
1½" and spiral them toward the
eggs for a new look. Sub-
stitute pearls for the glass
nest. Bend the spirals away from the
eggs, or try using half round
nest, flatten them slightly with the chas-
wire for the branch.
ing hammer, and place them back into
position. Patina the piece using liver-
of-sulfur, and polish with steel wool if
you wish.
Sally Stevens
is a published wire wrap artist and jewelry designer from Maryland,
who teaches locally and at several of the Interweave shows. She and
her lampwork artist daughter Shannon Stevens sell their work at bead
shows, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region. They can be reached
through their Web site: sunroomstudiosonline.com.
BEADWORK MAGAZINE
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well-known designers, and talented readers just like you.
beadworkmagazine.com
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page 11
pendulum
pendant
tools & supplies
• 21-gauge half round half hard wire, 12"
• 22-gauge square half hard wire, 27"
• 24-gauge colored craft wire, 36"
• 18mm lampwork lentil bead
• Flat nose pliers
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page 12
1 Cut three 9" lengths of 22g wire.
Bundle the three wires with the 2 Make a hook near the end of the
21g wire using the tips of the 3 Bind by wrapping the 21g wire
around all three square wires 15
flush ends together, and tape. Mea- chain nose pliers. Attach the hook of times. Slide the binding to the center
sure 4½" from the end, and mark the the 21g wire to the left of the center to show, so the eighth wrap is on the
center. mark with the flat side of the 21g wire mark. Trim the ends and secure with
flush against the square wires. flat nose pliers. Measure 7/8" from
each side of binding, and mark. Re-
move the tape as needed.
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page 13
10 Secure one end of the 24g
colored wire with a couple tight 11 Bring the colored wire across
and under the other wire of the 12 Continue weaving as in Steps
10–11 to cover 1¼" of the
wraps around the left wire at the base base of the V. Anchor another com- V. Trim and secure the ends. For a
of the V. plete wrap around this wire. tapered bail, weave approximately ¾"
of the V, and then pinch the V wires
toward one another, and continue to
weave to 1¼".
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page 14
Bangle Bracelet
design by Connie Fox
Materials
1½' of 14-gauge copper dead soft wire
1½' of 14-gauge sterling silver dead soft wire
2' of 18-gauge sterling silver dead soft wire
Beads and spacers with holes large enough for
14-gauge wire
Head pins or eye pins for optional
embellishments
4 sterling silver jump rings, approx. 5mm inner
diameter
Liver-of-sulfur
Tools
Long round nose pliers
Frank DeSantis
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page 15
The brangle in this article fits a 6" wrist and was made with Step 4 With an indelible pen, mark the bottom of your round
beads that range from 10-12mm in diameter. The mandrel nose pliers. Grasp one end of the 14-gauge wire at the mark on
lengths for the three pieces are: central section — 4-3/4", left the bottom of your long round nose pliers.
arm — 4", and right arm — 3-3/4". It isn’t necessary for the arms Rotate your hand away from your body to form a loop.
to be the same length, in fact, I prefer an asymmetrical design.
Central Section
Step 1 Cut 2' of 18-gauge sterling silver wire to use for coiling.
Place the 18-gauge wire on top of a piece of 14-gauge wire
(copper or silver) to form a cross.
Step 5 Introduce the tips of your chain nose pliers into the joint
and rotate towards your body.
Step 2 Rotate the upper wire away from your body. Continue
rotating the 18-gauge wire onto the 14-gauge to form a coil.
When the upper, 18-gauge wire is completely coiled around the
14-gauge mandrel, reverse the piece of 14-gauge wire and coil
the remaining 18-gauge wire.
Step 6 Place your round nose pliers in the loop and close the
gap. Now you must determine where to cut the other end of
the mandrel wire in order to get an eye of the same size.
Using the same long nose pliers, grasp the end of a 4-5" piece
of 14-gauge copper wire, at the mark and with no wire peeking
through the jaws of the pliers. Rotate your hand away from
your body to form a loop.
Step 3 Determine how long you want the central section to be.
Mine is 2½" long, not including the eyes. String beads, spacers,
and coiling on to a long piece of 14-gauge wire.
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page 16
Step 7 Mark the joint with an indelible pen. Unravel the wire Add to this, the measurement for your beads, spacers, and
and measure from the ink mark to the end of the wire. This is coiling (mine is 1-3/8"), plus the allowance for your eye. I
the length of wire it will take to make an identical eye. suggest you work with a little more wire than you think you will
need — it’s easy to snip off some, but not easy to add.
Step 12 Place the wire (right next to the small loop) in the
Arm One bottom of your long round nose pliers.
Step 9 Determine how long you want the arm to be. The Using the bottom of your round nose pliers, rotate your hand
sample is 1¼" long, not including the eyes. Follow the same away from your body and in the opposite direction of the small
procedure that you used for the central section. There is one loop.
difference — one eye will be parallel to the surface when your
brangle is placed on a table, the other eye (the one that will
connect to the central section) will be perpendicular to the
surface.
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page 17
Step 14 String your beads, spacers and coiling onto the removing too much coiling since this allows the brangle to
mandrel wire. Make an eye on the end of the mandrel and be curve. If the brangle is too small, decide where you will add
sure it’s perpendicular when you place the arm on a flat surface. length. Work in copper until you get a good fit. Disassemble the
brangle, measure your mandrel wires, and reproduce
in silver.
Embellishments
Step 16 Consider hammering the eyes for a little extra polish,
but, make sure you have a good fit before doing this.
Dangles made with accent beads on head or eye pins can also
Putting it all together and making adjustments be added. And lastly, oxidize your brangle in liver-ofsulfur
Step 15 When you reach this last step, you will thank your to achieve depth and contrast in the coiling.
lucky beads you are working in copper wire. Link the sections Putting it all together and making adjustments
together using 2 jump rings at each join. My jump rings are
5mm inner diameter, but you can use the size you like. Connie Fox is a full time wire artist and frequent contributor
Place the brangle on your wrist and think “Goldielocks.” Too to Lapidary Journal. You can view her work, learn how to make
big? Too small? Or, just right! If the brangle is too large your own jump rings and eye pins along with other basic wire
you have a big decision to make — which of those treasured skills, and contact her through her Web site,
beads are you going to eliminate? Be careful about www.conniefox.com.
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page 18
Ballpoint Earrings
design by Karen Tihor
Originally published in Easy Wire, 2007
Materials
8" 20-gauge round
sterling silver wire, half-hard
6 6mm garnet rondelles
KAREN TIHOR grew up around jewelry making and designs her
2 2mm sterling rounds
own chainmail and wire jewelry. She is a juried member of the
International Guild of Wire Jewelry Artists and an active member Tools
of the online Creative Wire Jewelry forum on Delphi. Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Wire cutters
Ballpoint pen barrel with
the ink tube removed
File or cup burr
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page 19
Step 1: Cut your silver wire into two 4" lengths. Use the very Step 6: Bend the wire about 90° so that the spiral is
tip of your round nose pliers to make a tiny loop in the end of centered on the wire tail.
each wire.
Step 7: Slide your beads onto the wire so that they rest on the
Step 2: Use the tip of your chain nose pliers to squeeze the loop.
loop closed.
Step 8: Use the tips of your round nose pliers to form a 90°
Step 3: Grip the loop sideways with your chain nose pliers. bend in the wire.
Step 4: Bend the wire around the loop to form a spiral. Step 9: Without changing the position of your pliers, bend the
wire back over the end of the top jaw as shown in the picture.
Step 5: Use the tips of your chain nose pliers to grip the wire
just above the spiral.
Step 10: Grip the wire just past the bend with the tips of your
chain nose pliers.
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page 20
Step 11: Bend the wire tail back just enough to align it in a Step 15: Wrap the wire tail tightly around the barrel of the pen
straight line with the beads. This slight bend in the wire will to form a smooth spiral.
ensure that the beads stay in place on the wires.
Step 16: Slide the earring off the pen barrel and use your
Step 12: Use your thumb to hold the wire steady as you bend fingers to shape the spiral to your liking. You may need to use
the tail over and around the pen barrel to form a hook. the tips of your chain nose pliers to gently coax the end of the
wire tail to curve smoothly. Form the second earring in the
mirror image of the first.
Step 13: Slide the beaded part of your earring into the barrel
of the pen and hold the wire tail firmly against the barrel of the
pen. Once you’re happy with the shapes of your earrings, use your
file to smooth the ends of the wires. Remember, these are the
wires that will go through the ear, so smoother is better!
Step 14: Bend the wire tail sharply to one side. You will do this
in the opposite direction for the other earring to create a mirror
image.
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page 21
Basic Techniques
These basic instructions are adapted from The Beader’s Companion (Interweave, 2005).
Don’t have this popular book? Visit interweavestore.com.
s i m p l e loo p O p enin g J u m p R in g s C oi l s
To form a simple loop, use flat-nose To open a jump ring, To make a coil, use one hand to hold the end of your
pliers to make a 90° bend at least ½" from grasp each side of its opening wire against a mandrel. With the other hand, wrap
the end of the wire. Use round-nose pliers with a pair of pliers. Don’t pull the wire around the mandrel in tight loops. To
to grasp the wire after the bend; roll the apart. Instead, twist in oppo- remove the coil, slide it off the mandrel and cut.
pliers toward the bend, but not past it, to site directions so that you can Add vertical loops on either end to use the coil as
preserve the 90° bend. Use your thumb to continue open and close without dis- is, or cut the coil at certain intervals to make jump
the wrap around the nose of the pliers. Trim the torting the shape. rings or split rings.
wire next to the bend. Open a simple loop just as
you would a jump ring.
W ra p p e d - loo p b ai l s
W ra p p e d Loo p Wrapped-loop bails turn side-drilled beads,
usually teardrops, into pendants. Center the bead
on a 3" or longer piece of wire. Bend both ends
of the wire up the sides and across the top of the S p ira l s
bead. Bend one end straight up at the center of the To start a spiral, make a small loop at the end of a
To form a wrapped loop, use flat-nose pliers to make a bead, then wrap the other wire with round-nose pliers. Enlarge the piece by
90° bend at least 2" from the end of the wire. Use wire around it to form a few holding on to the spiral with chain-nose pliers and
round-nose pliers to grasp the wire after the bend; coils. Form a wrapped loop pushing the wire over the previous coil with your
roll the pliers toward the bend, but not past it, to with the straight-up wire, thumb.
preserve the 90° bend. Use your thumb to continue wrapping it back down over
the wrap around the nose of the pliers. Wrap the tail the already formed coils.
tightly down the neck of the wire to create a couple Trim the excess wire.
of coils. Trim the excess wire to finish.
Do u b l e s i m p l e loo p
To form a double simple loop, make the
90º bend at least 1" from the end of the
wire. Make a simple loop and continue
wrapping the wire around the round-
nose pliers to form two complete loops.
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page 22