How to Create Wire Jewelry

Making wire jewelry is as simple or complex as your personal jewelry-making proficiency and creativity takes you. There are some basics that, with some practice, will get you well on your way to becoming an expert. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a long Austrian, crystal-bead link necklace with a wire-wrapped gemstone-nugget pendant.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 roll of 26-gauge sterling silver wire
• 1 roll of 18- or 20-gauge sterling silver wire
• Closed or soldered 3mm or 5mm jump rings (a bag of 100)
• 2 strands of 8mm Austrian Crystals, pick a color of choice
• 1 large gemstone nugget (make sure it matches your crystals)
• A pair of round-nosed jewelry-making pliers
• A pair of flat-nosed jewelry-making pliers
• A pair of jewelry wire cutters

Making Basic Loops

1. All the beads in the two strands of crystals will be wired together in loops to make a wire-linked necklace. To do this, cut a piece of 26-gauge wire about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. Use the flat-nosed pliers to hold the wire, about a third into the length. Use the round-nosed pliers to bend the end of the wire down so that it forms a right angle. Move the edge of the flat-nosed pliers close to the right angle. Place a jump ring after the flat-nosed pliers, to rest on the shorter end of the right angle. Use the round-nosed pliers to make a loop with the short end of the wire, and wrap the end of the loop once or twice around the wire, to create a small, tight coil. The jump ring should be inside the loop, so that it is dangling at the end. To achieve this, make sure it does not slip over the right angle but remains where the loop will form. Cut off any stray ends of the loop.

2. Add the bead to the remaining wire. To close the other end, make the right angle once more and, before wrapping the other end, add a jump ring. Make the closing loop by using the round-nosed pliers to make a loop with the other short end of the wire, and wrap the end of that loop once or twice around the wire, to create another small, tight coil. It is the same sort of loop as in Step 1, but on the other end of the wire.

3. So now you have a bead on the wire-looped wire, with two jump rings dangling at each end. To make the next link, cut another piece of wire and make the same right angle as the first piece. Place the shorter end of the right angle into the jump ring. Hold the longer end of the wire with the flat-nosed pliers, at the edge of the right angle, and once again create and close the loop. Add the second bead, then make a right angle, add a jump ring, and close the loop, with the jump ring dangling. Continue adding beads in this manner until all your crystal beads have finished. You will have a long strand of linked beads, with two jump rings dangling at each end.

Making the Pendant

4. Cut about a 6- to 8-inch strip of 18- or 20-gauge wire. Take your large gemstone nugget and place it in the middle of the the wire.

5. Place one end of the wire into one of the dangling jump rings and create a loop. Do not cut off the end. Do the same on the other side.

6. Gently place one edge of the wrapped loop in your flat-nosed pliers and use the round-nosed pliers to wrap the wire in a coil around the bead that ends on the other side of the bead. Finish the coil by wrapping the wire once or twice wround the other loop. Repeat this wrap with the other loose end of the wire, around to the other side. Clip off loose ends.

7. Your necklace is basically done. To finish, clip off loose wires with the jewelry wire cutter.

Tips & Warnings

• Double-check the wire ends; they can be sharp if not clipped well. You can use jewelry glue to secure the necklace, though this is not necessary. Try to use a large bead with large holes for the pendant.

References

• Stitching and Wire-Working Techniques
• Making Loops in Jewelry Wire Jewelry Making Technique