How to Use Specialty Tools for Wire Wrapped Jewelry

You can begin wire wrapping simply with a pair of basic pliers, some wire and some beads, but there are tools you can use to make your wire wrapped jewelry look like polished pieces of art. Here are some things you can do with specialty tools to create wire wrapped jewelry.

Things You'll Need

• Flat nosed pliers
• Round nosed pliers
• Chain pliers or wire cutters
• Mallet

Instructions

1. Add variety to your pliers. For wire wrapping, different pliers create different effects. Flat nosed pliers are ideal for crimping beads at the end of your wire wrapped jewelry piece, whereas round nosed pliers are the perfect way to create wire loops that link together.

2. Cut a one and a half to two inch piece of wire using chain pliers. Most jewelry pliers have a clamp lower than the nose of the pliers with two sharp edges that meet to cut wire. If your pliers don't have this feature, you can purchase a pair of wire cutters at any local craft store

3. Complete a scrollwork design. Using round nosed or chain pliers, create a loop at the very end of the piece of wire. Continue wrapping the wire around the original loop three or more times creating a spiral. Repeat this on the other side of the wire, reversing the direction of the spiral.

4. Use a mallet to flatten scrollwork. Place your scrollwork on a durable work surface and flatten it by hitting the small wire piece with the flat end of the mallet. Any mallet, whether rubber, nylon, or a pliable sort of soft material will enhance the detail in your wire wrapped piece and create textured, more dimensional looks.