How to Make Swirls, Twirls and Curls in Wire Jewelry
Wire is a widely used material for homemade jewelry because it can be bent into many different shapes. Swirls, twirls and curls are the perfect addition to a nearly complete piece of handmade jewelry. The addition of bends adds decorative detail to an otherwise ordinary piece of jewelry. These swirls, curls and twirls can be added to different types of metal, from copper to silver and everything in between. Create artistically designed curls on necklaces, earrings, rings and on pendants. The decorative curls and twirls in the wire jewelry will customize any piece of jewelry and give it a design that stands out.
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Things You'll Need
- Wire for jewelry making (silver or copper are common choices)
- Two Flat face pliers
- Pliable jewelry wire
- Wire cutters
Instructions
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How to Create a Swirl in Wire Jewelry
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1
Measure out 4 inches on the wire. Cut the wire at the 4-inch mark with the wire cutters. Take the flat-face pliers and clamp down at one of the wire's ends. Bend the end of the wire with the pliers to create a small bend or loop in the wire.
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2
Place the thumb on the loop created in step 1 and use it as a guide. Keep the thumb in one place and clamp down on the wire next to the loop with the pliers. Bend the wire clockwise towards the loop.
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3
Slide the thumb about ¼ inch down the length of wire and clamp down on the wire with the pliers to bend the same section of wire further into a clockwise direction. Slide the thumb down the length of wire again. Pinch the wire with the pliers and bend it in a clockwise direction until six complete circles have been formed.
How to Create a Curl in Wire Jewelry
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4
Measure out a 2-inch length of jewelry wire and cut the wire with wire cutters. Clamp down on the cut end of the jewelry wire with flat-face pliers. Slide the thumb down the wire to use as a guide when curling the wire.
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5
Bend the end of the wire with the pliers to form the letter “C” to create a curl. The curl can be as tight or loose as needed. Slide the thumb back down the wire and move the pliers 1 inch away from the first curl.
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6
Bend the wire in the opposite direction to form a backwards letter “C.” If longer pieces of wire are used, the process can be repeated and the curls can overlap each other. This creates simple curls, and can also create 3-dimensional curls that overlap.
How to Create a Twist in Wire Jewelry
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7
Measure 6 inches of jewelry wire. Cut the jewelry wire with wire cutters.
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8
Clamp down in the center of the jewelry wire with the pliers in the right hand and squeeze the wire securely. Squeeze another section of the piece of wire using the pliers in the right hand. Rotate the pliers in the left hand clockwise while rotating the wire held between the pair of pliers in the left hand in a counterclockwise motion.
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9
Watch the jewelry wire twist as the pliers are rotated. Slide both sets of pliers toward the ends of the wire. Continue rotating the ends of the wire to continue to twirl. Continue moving out 1 inch at a time and rotating the pliers to create a full twirl with jewelry wire.
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Tips & Warnings
If flat-face pliers aren't available, use regular pliers instead.
Wear gloves and protective eyewear when metal working.
Use caution when handling the sharp, cut ends of wire.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
