Techniques: Simple Loop

Learn step-by-step how to make a simple wire loop to link beads and findings together. Materials

Tools

Bead(s) Head pin

Round Nose Pliers Wire Cutters

Step 1 String a bead or beads onto the headpin.

Step 2 Cut the headpin, leaving a 3/8" tail.

Step 3 Bend the wire at the top of the bead to a 90 angle.

Step 4 Grasp the end of the wire with your round nose pliers so the wire is flush with the tool.

Step 5 Rotate the pliers to form a loop.

Step 6 Continue rotating with wire until a complete loop is formed.

Tip: To make a smaller loop, work closer to the tip of the round nose pliers.

Tip: If you want to make a larger loop, start with a piece of wire longer than 3/8" and make the loop further back from the tip of the round nose pliers.

Techniques: Wire Wrapping

A wire-wrapped loop is one of the most secure ways to connect beads and findings. Learn this basic wireworking technique, and youll be making jewelry like a pro. Materials

Tools

Bead(s) with a center drilled hole Head pin

Round Nose Pliers Chain Nose Pliers Wire Cutters

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

String a bead or beads on the head pin. Remember to have at least an inch of wire above the last bead.

Using the tips of your chain nose pliers, grab the wire directly above the beads.

With your finger, push the wire to a 90 angle.

Step 4 Using you round nose pliers, grasp the wire right at the bend.

Step 5 Pull the wire around the round nose pliers until it is almost pointing directly down.

Step 6 Reposition your pliers by opening your round nose pliers (but do not pull the pliers out of the loop) and pivot your pliers so the bottom tip is on the top.

Step 7 Continue pulling the wire around the nose of the pliers until the loop is completely round.

Step 8 To then wrap the loop, grip the loop with the chain nose pliers and grip the wire with your fingers.

Step 9 Wrap the wire around the head pin. Continue wrapping the wire down to the bead.

Step 10 Using the wire cutters, cut off the extra wire as close as you can to the beads.

Step 11 Tuck the remaining tip of wire with your chain nose pliers so there are no sharp pieces of wire sticking out that can snag on clothing.

Techniques: Wire Wrapped Link

Create unique jewelry with wire wrapped links. Using wire wrapped links you can combine beads, chain, premade links, clasps, and more to create necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Check out our Inspiration page for jewelry ideas. Materials

Tools

Bead(s) with a center drilled hole Sterling Silver chain Sterling Silver wire - 22 gauge shown

Round Nose Pliers Chain Nose Pliers Wire Cutters

Step 1 Grasp your wire about 1 " down from the top with your chain nose pliers.

Step 2 With your finger, push the wire to a 90 angle.

Step 3 Using your round nose pliers, grasp the wire right at the bend.

Step 4 Pull the wire around the round nose pliers until it is almost pointing directly down.

Step 5 Reposition your pliers by opening your round nose pliers (but do not pull the pliers out of the loop) and pivot your pliers so the bottom tip is on the top.

Step 6 Continue pulling the wire around the nose of the pliers until the loop is completely round.

Step 7 Attach a link or chain into the loop.

Step 8 To then wrap the loop, grip the loop with the chain nose pliers and grip the wire with your fingers.

Step 9 Wrap the short wire around the long wire about 3 wraps.

Step 10 Using the wire cutters, cut off the extra wire off as close as you can.

Step 11 Tuck the remaining tip of wire with your chain nose pliers so there are no sharp pieces of wire sticking out that can snag on clothing.

Step 12 Slide a bead or beads on the wire.

Step 13 Using the tips of your chain nose pliers, grab the wire directly above the beads.

Step 14 With your finger, push the wire to a 90 angle.

Step 15 Using your round nose pliers, grasp the wire right at the bend.

Step 16 Pull the wire around the round nose pliers until it is almost pointing directly down.

Step 17 Reposition your pliers by opening your round nose pliers (but do not pull the pliers out of the loop) and pivot your pliers so the bottom tip is on the top.

Step 18 Continue pulling the wire around the nose of the pliers until the loop is completely round.

Step 19 Attach a link or chain into the loop.

Step 20 To then wrap the loop, grip the loop with the chain nose pliers and grip the wire with your fingers.

Step 21 Wrap the wire around the base wire. Continue wrapping the wire down to the bead.

Step 22 Using the wire cutters, cut off the extra wire as close as you can to the beads.

Step 23 Tuck the remaining tip of wire with your chain nose pliers so there are no sharp pieces of wire sticking out that can snag on clothing.

Techniques: Wire Wrapped Triangle Bail

Add a wire wrapped loop to a briolette style bead. This technique will allow you to use your briolette and drop shape beads as dangles off of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Check out our Inspiration page for design ideas. Materials

Tools

Beads with a top drilled hole - briolette Sterling Silver wire - 24 gauge shown

Round Nose Pliers Chain Nose Pliers Wire Cutters

Step 1 Cut a 4" piece of wire. Slide wire through the hole of the bead, leaving about 1 1/2 in. on the left side.

Step 2 With your fingers, bring the wires up - crossing the wires. The short piece should be in front of the longer piece.

Step 3 Using your fingers, form the wire to the briolette.

Step 4 Use the tips of your chain nose pliers to grasp the short

Step 5 Bend the wire down to a 90 angle.

Step 6 Use the tips of your chain nose pliers to grasp the

piece of wire directly above where the wires cross.

longer piece of wire directly above where the wires cross.

Step 7 Bend the wire straight up, forming a 90 angle between the two pieces of wire.

Step 8 Grasp the triangle that was created with your chain nose pliers.

Step 9 Wrap the short piece of wire around the longer piece about 1 1/2 - 2 wraps.

Step 10 With your wire cutters, cut the short tail as close as possible.

Step 11 Using the tips of your chain nose pliers, grab the wire directly above the wrap.

Step 12 With your finger, push the wire to a 90 angle.

Step 13 Using your round nose pliers, grasp the wire right at the bend.

Step 14 Pull the wire around the round nose pliers until it is almost pointing directly down.

Step 15 Reposition your pliers by opening your round nose pliers (but do not pull the pliers out of the loop) and pivot your pliers so the bottom tip is on the top.

Step 16 Continue pulling the wire around the nose of the pliers until the loop is completely round.

Step 17 If you are attaching it to a chain or ring, this would be a good time. To then wrap the loop, grip the loop with the chain nose pliers and grip the wire with your fingers.

Step 18 Wrap the wire around the base wire. Continue wrapping the wire down to the first wrap.

Step 19 Using the wire cutters, cut off the extra wire as close as you can to the wrap.

Step 20 Congratulations, you have now created a wire wrapped triangle bail!

Techniques: Covering a Briolette

Materials

Briolette or top-drilled tear drop bead 24 or 26 gauge sterling silver or gold-filled wire - dead soft

Tools

Round Nose Pliers Chain Nose Pliers Wire Cutters

Step 1 String one briolette onto one foot of wire.

Step 2 Slide the briolette to the center of the wire.

Step 3 Pull both sides of the wire up - forming the wire to the sides of the hole of the briolette.

Step 4 Use your chain nose pliers to gently squeeze the two pieces of wire together. The wires should be parallel to each other. This will form a small triangle around the top of the briolette.

Step 5 Hold the two wires with your chain nose pliers just above the tip of the briolette.

Step 6 Bend your pliers until the wires are at a right angle.

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Step 7 Using you round nose pliers, grasp the wires right at the bend.

Step 8 Pull the wires around the round nose pliers until they are almost pointing directly down.

Step 9 Reposition your pliers by opening your round nose pliers (but do not pull the pliers out of the loop) and pivot your pliers so the bottom tip is on the top. Continue pulling the wires around the nose of the pliers until the loop is completely round.

Step 10 If you are linking this to chain or an ear wire, link before continuing to the next step.

Step 11 To then wrap the loop, continue holding the loop with the round nose pliers and grip the wires with your fingers. Pull the wires around the neck of the triangle bail.

Step 12 Pull the wires back in front of the briolette. The wires should be laying parallel to each other.

Step 13 Pull the wires around the back of the briolette again. Make sure the wires are laying parallel to each other.

Step 14 Continue wrapping the wires around the briolette.

Step 15 Stop wrapping the wires when you have covered as much of your briolette as desired.

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Step 16 Cut the wires as close to the briolette as possible. Congratulations! You have successfully covered a briolette!

Techniques: Spiral Head Pin

Create a decorative spiral head pin with wire. Add beads to the head pin or just a simple loop to the top of the spiral for an easy charm. Materials

Tools

Wire

Chain Nose Pliers Wire Cutters

Note: For this technique, I have used 20 gauge half hard wire. Tip: Try using colored wire or making larger spirals for numerous variations.

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Step 1 Begin by flush cutting the end of a 4-inch piece of wire.

Step 2 Grasp the very end of the wire with the round nose pliers. To have a spiral with a small opening in the middle, grasp closer to the tips of your pliers.

Step 3 Rotate the pliers to form a loop.

Step 4 Reposition your round nose pliers by opening them (but do not pull the pliers out of the loop) and pivot your pliers so the bottom tip is on the top.

Step 5 Continue rotating the pliers until the wire begins wrapping over itself.

Step 6 Grasp the loop with the chain nose pliers. Make sure that the base of the loop is showing. This is what we will form the wire around to create the spiral.

Step 7 Push the wire up - forming it against the base of the loop.

Step 8 Reposition the spiral in the chain nose pliers. The base of the spiral should be showing and the wire should be perpendicular to the pliers.

Step 9 Again, push the wire up forming it to the base of the spiral.

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Step 10 Again, reposition the spiral in the chain nose pliers. The base of the spiral should be showing and the wire should be perpendicular to the pliers.

Step 11 Push the wire up, against the base of the spiral.

Step 12 Repeat steps 10 and 11 until the spiral is the desired size.

Step 13 The spiral is now complete.

Step 14 To center the spiral on the wire, grasp the wire at the base of the spiral with your chain nose pliers.

Step 15 Pinch the spiral with your fingers.

Step 16 Gently push the sprial back until it is centered on the wire.

Step 17 Congratulations! Your spiral head pin is now complete.

Step 18 Try adding beads to your head pin or simply making a loop at the top of the spiral for an easy charm.

Techniques: Making an Ear Wire

Create your own ear wire using 20 gauge wire and a few tools. Using your own ear wire within a piece will make your

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earrings unique from everyone elses. Materials

Tools

20 gauge half hard wire

Round Nose Pliers Small Wrap and Tap Pliers Wire Cutters Wire Rounder - optional

Step 1 Begin by flush cutting the end of a 3-inch piece of wire.

Step 2 To make the loop to hang items from, begin by grasping the very end of the wire with the round nose pliers.

Step 3 Rotate the pliers to create a loop.

Step 4 Grasp the wire just above the loop with your Wrap and Tap pliers.

Step 5 Place the wire towards the base of the pliers - the largest part of the Wrap and Tap pliers.

Step 6 Pull the wire back, down and around the pliers until the wire touches the loop.

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Step 7 Then with the round nose pliers, hold the wire about in line with the small loop.

Step 8 Slightly bend the wire back. This will put a soft bend in the wire.

Step 9 Make a flush cut with the wire cutters just below the bend you just made.

Step 10 Congratulations! One ear wire is now complete. Repeat steps 1 through 10 to complete a second ear wire.

Step 11 As an alternative to finishing the ear wire with a flush cut, you can round the end of the ear wire. Begin with a flush cut end.

Step 12 Place the tip of the wire rounder over the end of the wire. Rotate the wire rounder several times.

Step 13 Continue rotating the wire rounder until the end of the wire has a slightly rounded shape.

Techniques: Wig Jig Pattern 1

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Materials

Tools

Wire

Wig Jig Olympus-Lite Chain Nose Pliers Wire Cutters

Tip: Use a thicker gauge wire such as 18 or 20 gauge for a stronger finished wire form.

Step 1 Place pegs in a diamond pattern in your wig jig. Leave an empty space in between each of the pegs.

Step 2 Cut a piece of wire 5 inches long. Place one end of the wire into the empty peg hole between the top and right peg. Bend the wire to a right angle.

Step 3 Begin wrapping the wire around the top peg.

Step 4 Tip: Try moving the wig jig instead of moving the wire. Keep the tension on the wire tight with the opposite hand.

Step 5 After wrapping the wire completely around the top peg, bring the wire down around the left peg.

Step 6 After wrapping the wire completely around the left peg, bring the wire down around the bottom peg.

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Step 7 After wrapping the wire completely around the bottom peg, bring the wire up around the right peg.

Step 8 After wrapping the wire completely around the right peg, bring the wire up around the top peg again.

Step 9 Wrap the wire around the top peg. This will create a second loop around the top peg.

Step 10 Take the wire form off of the wig jig. Use your wire cutters to cut off the end of the wire. This will leave a simple loop on one side of the form.

Step 11 Repeat step 10 on the other side of the wire form.

Step 12 Using your chain nose pliers, grasp the side of the loop.

Step 13 Close the loop by moving the open side of the loop back until the loop is closed.

Step 14 Repeat steps 12 and 13 for the other side of the wire form.

Step 15 Make several forms and link them together for a necklace, bracelet or earrings. Also, try hanging beads off of loops.

Techniques: Wig Jig Pattern 2

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Materials

Tools

Wire

Wig Jig Olympus-Lite Olympus Small Round Super Pegs Chain Nose Pliers Wire Cutters

Note: I used the 3/8" Super Peg. Tip: Use a thicker gauge wire such as 18 or 20 gauge for a stronger finished wire form.

Step 1 Place 3 pegs in a diamond pattern in your wig jig. Leave an empty space in between each of the small pegs. Use a super peg for the bottom peg.

Step 2 Cut a piece of wire 7 inches long. Place one end of the wire into the empty peg hole between the top and right peg. Bend the wire to a right angle.

Step 3 Begin wrapping the wire around the top peg.

Step 4 Tip: Try moving the wig jig instead of moving the wire.

Step 5 After wrapping the wire completely around the top

Step 6 After wrapping the wire completely around the left

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Keep the tension on the wire tight with the opposite hand.

peg, bring the wire down around the left peg.

peg, bring the wire down around the bottom peg.

Step 7 After wrapping the wire completely around the bottom peg, bring the wire up around the right peg.

Step 8 After wrapping the wire completely around the right peg, bring the wire up around the top peg again.

Step 9 Wrap the wire around the top peg. This will create a second loop around the top peg.

Step 10 Take the wire form off of the wig jig. Use your wire cutters to cut off the end of the wire. This will leave a simple loop on one side of the form.

Step 11 Repeat step 10 on the other side of the wire form.

Step 12 Using your chain nose pliers, grasp the side of the loop.

Step 13 Close the loop by moving the open side of the loop back until the loop is closed.

Step 14 Repeat steps 12 and 13 for the other side of the wire form.

Step 15 Make several forms and link them together for a necklace, bracelet or earrings. Also, try linking them together with wire wrapped links.

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Techniques: Covering a Component

Materials

Tools

Component 3 feet - 26 gauge Dead Soft or Fine Silver wire 30-45 - 3mm Swarovski Crystals

Chain Nose Pliers Wire Cutters

Step 1 To anchor the wire to the component, begin by holding the component and an inch of the wire in one hand. Then with your other hand, lay the wire over the top of the component.

Step 2 Bring the wire behind the component and pull it up through the middle of the component.

Step 3 Bring the wire over the top of the component again. Be sure to lay the wire as close as possible to the previous wire.

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Step 4 Bring the wire behind the component and pull it up through the middle of the component. This has now anchored the wire to the component with two wraps.

Step 5 String a bead onto the wire.

Step 6 Bring the wire over the top of the component. The bead should be resting on the outer edge of the component.

Step 7 Holding the bead in place against the edge of the component, bring the wire down behind the component.

Step 8 Pull the wire up through the middle of the component.

Step 9 Bring the wire over the top of the component.

Step 10 Bring the wire behind the component and pull it up through the middle of the component.

Step 11 String a bead onto the wire.

Step 12 Bring the wire over the top of the component. The bead should be resting on the outer edge of the component.

Step 13 Holding the bead in place against the edge of the component, bring the wire down behind the component.

Step 14 Pull the wire up through the middle of the component.

Step 15 Bring the wire over the top of the component.

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Step 16 Bring the wire behind the component and pull it up through the middle of the component.

Step 17 String a bead onto the wire. Continue pattern by repeating steps 12 through 17 until you have completely covered the componet.

Step 18 To anchor the end of the wire to the component, bring the wire down behind the component. Then pull the wire up through the middle of the component.

Step 19 Bring the wire over the top of the component.

Step 20 Repeat steps 18 and 19, anchoring the wire with two wraps. Once the wire is anchored, cut the end of the wire with the wire cutters.

Step 21 Cut the other end of the wire with the wire cutters.

Step 22 Use chain nose pliers to squeeze the end of the wires tight against the component. There should not be any wires sticking out.

Step 23 Congratulations! You have successfully covered a component with beads!

Step 24 - Alternative As an alternative to covering a component with beads on the outer edge of the component, you can rest the beads on the surface of the component. To begin, anchor the wire to the component with two wraps.

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Step 25 String a bead onto the wire.

Step 26 Rest the bead on the surface of the component. Bring the wire over the top of the component.

Step 27 Bring the wire behind the component and pull it up through the middle of the component.

Step 28 Bring the wire over the top of the component.

Step 29 Bring the wire behind the component and pull it up through the middle of the component.

Step 30 String a bead onto the wire.

Step 31 Rest the bead on the surface of the component. Bring the wire over the top of the component.

Step 32 Bring the wire behind the component and pull it up through the middle of the component.

Step 33 Bring the wire over the top of the component. Repeat steps 29 through 33 until the component is completely covered.

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Step 34 To finish, anchor the end of the wire as shown in steps 18 through 22.

Techniques: Ball Headpin

A good butane microtorch is a great tool to have on hand. Ball headpins can add an extra element of artistry to your piece of jewelry. Using fine silver wire, you can make headpins with 20 to 26 gauge. Materials

20, 22, 24 or 26 gauge fine silver wire. Fine silver is 99.9% silver, while sterling is 92.5% silver. Fine silver wire does not oxidize the way sterling would.

Tools

Butane Micro Torch Quenching bowl: a heat-safe bowl filled with cold water An old pair of chain nose pliers. Do not use your good pliers.

Safety Precautions

Always point the torch away from you. Work on a heat-safe surface and away from any flammables. Work in a well-ventilated area. Always use pliers to grab the wire. The metal may not be cool even if it looks cool.

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Step 1 To turn on your torch, pull down on the safety to release.

Step 2 Push trigger to ignite the torch. Hold trigger in to keep flame on.

Step 3 For a continuous flame, push the "continuous" button in while holding the trigger in.

Step 4 To make the headpins, cut fine silver wire in equal lengths.

Step 5 Turn on the torch, keeping it facing away from you. Using the continuous flame will allow you to keep your hands free.

Step 6 Grab a piece of cut fine silver wire at the tip with your chain nose pliers. Slowly put the other end of the wire into the flame.

Step 7 As the wire heats, the end will start to ball up. This can happen very fast especially if it is thin wire.

Step 8 When you have made the size ball that you want, take the wire out of the flame and drop it into your quenching bowl. Congratulations - you have made a ball headpin!

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