Basic Wire Wrap
You will find yourself using this technique over and over for many different projects.
The technique is a little tricky at first, especially if you aren't used to working
with pliers, but with some practice you'll become a pro. You can use this technique
for earrings, chandelier earrings and pendants, chain necklaces, pendants,
charm bracelets ... and many more!
|
| |
 |
Tools needed:
chain-nose (flat jaws) pliers
round-nose (round jaws) pliers
wire cutters (or "nippers")
1. Put a bead (or stack of beads) on a head pin, then use your chain-nose pliers to make an "L" about just a pinch above the bead.
2. Put down the chain-nose pliers and swap them out for the round-nose pliers. Grip the bend of the "L" that you just made with the round-nose pliers, then grip the free end of the head pin with your chain-nose pliers as though you are stretching a rubber band. Roll the free end of the head pin over the top of the round-nose pliers (towards your chest and then straight down towards the table), shaping your wire into a "monkey tail" that has a little crook at the end of its tail.
3. Grab the crook of the monkey tail with your chain-nose pliers and keeping the tension tight, wrap the monkey tail around the stalk of wire coming out of the bead, staying underneath the bottom jaw of the pliers and the wire loop you just made.
4. Continue to wrap the wire around 2-3 times, laying one line of wire beneath the previous line like the downward spiral of a screw--make sure that it is as tight and secure as possible, and cut off excess wire with your wire cutters or nippers.
|
| |
|
