The techniques that you will learn here teach you to wrap a wire loop. The loop itself serves no purpose until it is connected with other wire loops in order to create necklaces and bracelets. This will take approximately ten minutes or less.
Step 1
Using wire cutters, cut approximately 6” piece of wire to work with. Be sure the wire you cut is mostly straight before you move on to the next step. If it isn't you can straighten it by running it between your fingers. Try using a piece of soft leather to protect your skin.
Step 2
Make a 90 degree bend about 2.5” from the end of the wire. Use the round nose pliers to secure the wire while bending one end of the wire over the pliers. (Make this bend as sharp as you can).
Step 3
Place the bent wire half way down the round nose pliers, about half an inch from the tip of the pliers themselves. The back of the wire should be flush with the pliers.
Step 4
Hold the round nose pliers in your dominant hand, with the bend of the wire you created pointing towards you from between the pliers. The tail will be hanging down.
Step 5
Bend the end of the short wire back, around the top of the round nose pliers, using the thumb of your non-dominant hand. Bend the wire most of the way around the pliers, but not completely. It should not touch the other end of the wire.
Step 6
Remove the round nose pliers from the wire. You now should see a loop, resembling a half circle with two straightened ends.
Step 7
Reinsert the round nose pliers back into the loop so that bottom tip of the pliers is within the loop, instead of the top. Be sure the wire loop you have created is tight against the pliers.
Step 8
Push the top of wire over the round nose pliers to meet the portion of the wire underneath the pliers and ends at a 90 degree angle to the long tail. This step allows you to complete the loop. Remove the pliers; you should now have a full circle made of wire.
Step 9
Grip the loop with the bent nose pliers holding it sideways, rather than within the loop. Hold as softly as possible while still keeping a grip on your wire to prevent plier marks. Using your finger, wrap the end of the wire around the stem of your loop. This will create the first loop around the stem of the wire; keep it tight against the loop.
Step 10
Continue to hold the bent nose pliers in your hand while wrapping the end of the wire around the stem for two more turns using your hand. You should now have a completed loop, with three circles around the stem, created from the end of the wire.
Step 11
Now that you have completed your wire wrap, cut the excess wire using the wire cutters. Use caution here: Place your finger over the excess wire while cutting to prevent it from flying away. You may want to use your needle nose pliers to tighten the last tiny bit of wire so you do not have a sharp edge.
Tips
- You have now completed a wire wrapped loop! Congratulations! You can apply this technique to jewelry making and link the wraps together to create unique designs. Enjoy making your own creations!
Warnings
- Extra pieces of cut wire have the potential to go flying! So please read and follow these directions carefully!
Things You'll Need
- Materials:
- 22 gauge - 26 gauge wire (preferable for their flexibility)
- Round nose pliers (called such for their rounded tips)
- Bent nose (pliers with ends that are bent)
- Wire cutters (used to cut the wire, caution: watch for flying wire)
- Eye protection goggles (preferably plastic, caution: SAFETY to protect eyes from flying wire)
