How to Braid Wire for Jewelry
The process of braiding fibrous materials for craft and jewelry projects is well known and commonly used, but braiding can also be used to give wire jewelry an interesting, flowing look. Braiding wire is a rather different process than braiding string or hair, one that requires specialized tools, techniques and design concepts.
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Things You'll Need
- Decorative craft wire
- Needle-nosed pliers
- Jewelry findings and fasteners
Instructions
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1
Cut three pieces of wire to the right length for your project. Each strand of wire should be about 20 percent longer than you want the length of the finished product to be. This will give you some margin for error as well as account for the fact that the twisting will cause you to lose some length.
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2
Straighten the wire. With each piece of wire, straighten out any kinks or bends by holding one end securely in your needle-nosed pliers, then scraping the edge of a small, hard object (like a coin or smooth stone) against the wire, pulling it tight and running the object from end to end. Do this a couple times to make the wire completely smooth.
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3
Secure each of the three wire ends together. Line them up and twist all three of the ends tightly together using your pliers. Leave the rest of the wire loose.
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4
Plan the location of any beads or pendants and attach them to the wire. If pendants have jump rings that can be opened and closed, you can attach them later, but otherwise, you will need to string items on the jewelry as you're braiding. Decide beforehand how you want to space out and position the pieces on your finished braid.
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5
Braid the wire loosely. If you're used to braiding fiber (such as hair or string), bear in mind that wire will need to be bent in order to braid. Keep the bends large and avoid sharp corners. Strive to keep the braid even throughout the length with no portions braided more tightly than others. Add beads and pendants by threading them onto the wire as you go.
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6
Twist together the loose ends of the wire, just as you did with the opposite end before beginning the braiding. Pinch with your fingers just below the end while you're twisting to keep the twist from affecting the braided portion.
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7
Finish the jewelry. Bend the braid into the shape you want it to be, then fan out the loops and twists of the braid so that they're even and the braiding is visible. Attach any necessary fasteners using jump rings or crimp beads.
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