Wire Warp Techniques in Bead Jewerly

Working with wire to make wire and beaded jewelry is a popular hobby. Many people enjoy manipulating wires with tools to wrap the wires into intricate and unique shapes and designs. There are several basic techniques that can be learned and then built upon to create beautiful wire and bead jewelry.

Loops

Making a wire loop is a basic technique that is used as the foundation for many other wire-wrapping techniques. Use 20-gauge wire when learning the technique, and when it is mastered, experiment with smaller and larger gauges. Start by cutting a 3-inch length of wire with a wire cutters. Make a 90-degree bend in the wire approximately 1/2 inch from one end. Use a round-nose pliers to pinch the wire firmly along the 1/2-inch bend in the wire. While pinching the wire, rotate the pliers so that the wire becomes bent into a loop around the pliers. Adjust the loop after it has been made so that it is straight. This loop is what is commonly called an "eye pin" and can be used in making bead jewelry.

Wrapped Loops

Once the technique for making loops is mastered, build on this technique and make a beautiful wrapped loop. The technique for making a wrapped loop is very similar to making a plain loop. Start by cutting a 4-inch length of wire. Make a 90-degree bend in the wire approximately one inch from one end. Make a plain loop. When making a wrapped loop, there will be excess wire after the loop is created. Pinch the loop with a round-nose pliers and pinch the excess wire with chain-nose pliers. While holding the loop securely with the round nose pliers, begin to tightly wrap the excess wire around the base of the loop using the chain-nose pliers. Wrap the wire tightly three times around the base of the loop. Clip off any excess wire to finish the wrapped loop.

Wrapped Spirals

A wrapped spiral is often used as an attractive addition to wire jewelry. The wire gauge can vary; however, 20-gauge wire is the easiest wire gauge to manipulate when making spirals. Use a 3-inch length of wire to begin the spiral. Pinch one end of the wire with round-nose pliers and begin to wrap the wire around the pliers in a very tight loop. As you wrap the wire it will begin to look like a spiral. Hold the spiral with chain-nose pliers and continue to wrap the wire around the spiral with your thumb until the spiral is the size desired. Bend the wire out away from the spiral in a 90-degree angle and clip off the wire when finished.

References

• Wire Wrap Techniques