Level: beginner
Tools: round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, wire cutters
Materials: your choice of bead(s), head pin
Wire Wrapping Technique for Jewelry Making
Here is a basic wire wrapping technique using head pins. This is an essential wire technique that you must know! Using this method of wire work, you can work on so many beading projects: dangle earrings, rings and embellishments for your bracelets or necklaces. I personally LOVE this technique because it’s really simple and has endless possibilities. This is a very secure way to connect beads and other components.
First, string your bead to the head pin. Head pins are 1′ - 3′ wire with “head” at the end to hold beads. I usually use 24 or 26 gauge sterling or gold-filled wire. You can also add more than two beads or combine with spaces.
Depending on where you place the pliers, you can adjust size of the loop. If you wrap 2 times, you should do the same every time to keep it consistent.
If you’re new to the wire wrapping technique, I recommend practicing a few times with inexpensive wire such as silver plated wire. Get ready, start wiring!
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9 comments ↓
Thanks for posting this great little tutorial! I have wanted to start making jewelry and this just gives me that small bit of knowledge to get started. Keep these coming!
When using headpins or goldfilled wire, what is the strength of the wire usually? For example dead soft, half hard…
Thanks!!
Hi Char, thanks for the question! I usually use half-hard wire. It’s easy enough to bend and shape for detailed wrapping. Dead-soft wire might be easier to bend if working with more complex shapes. For wire wrapping, I personally prefer half-hard because the shape tends to hold more securely.
Hi my77raisins, thanks for visiting Jewelry Recipes! I’ll try to post more techniques and beading projects that are more helpful for beginners!
Is there a good place that you recommend to buy beading supplies? The wire and the beads? Thanks!!
Hi Char, thanks for your comment!
I usually go to local beads store, but I have ordered materials and tools from few places online:
http://www.firemountaingems.com/
http://fusionbeads.com/
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Hey
I’ve been looking for instructions for making wrapped eye loops, and this is definitely helpful — but I keep seeing instructions (here and elsewhere) to “finish by tucking in the end.”
This is sort of like my grandmother’s pie recipe that ended “do not over-handle.”
What does “tuck in the end” look like? How do I *do* it? I can wrap the wire and cut it as flush as possible, but it’s still an end, and risks scratching the wearer or catching on knit clothing.
Help????? (please? if you have time?)
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