How to Make a Handcrafted Wire Necklace

Making a handcrafted wire necklace is a simple project that’s perfectly suited for the novice jewelry designer. With a few simple tools, some glass beads and these simple techniques, you can create a beautiful necklace, bracelet or a pair of earrings that will rival any custom designed set.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 20 Gauge wire
• Wire cutters
• 10 – 10mm round beads
• 10 – 18 mm irregular shaped beads
• Necklace clasp
• 22 jump rings
• Round nose pliers
• Needle nose pliers

1. 
   Bent Wire

   Cut a 12 inch length of wire. Hold the wire one inch away from the end with the round nose pliers. Form a loop by folding the wire over the round nose pliers. Add a bead so that it is threaded by both wires. Create a wire loop over the other end of the bead with your round nose pliers.

2. 
   Wrapped Bead

   Wrap the wire tightly around the end of the loop where it meets the bead. Continue wrapping the bead in a spiral, ending by wrapping the wire tightly around the other end where you made the first loop. Wrap each bead separately.

3. 

   Open the jump rings with your needle nose pliers. Join the wrapped beads together by hooking the jump rings through the loops you made at the end of each bead. Close the jump rings by squeezing the ends back together with your needle nose pliers. Alternate the round beads and the irregular beads for a more interesting necklace design.

Tips & Warnings

• Create matching earrings and a bracelet to complete your handcrafted jewelry ensemble