Supplies
- 20 gauge wire
- 24 - 26 gauge wire
- hammer
- assorted beads
- wire cutters
- round nosed and flat nosed pliers as needed
Steps
1. Start with your main wire and cut it to the desired length. Form the main structure of your piece.
This will depend on your selected design. For the purpose of this tutorial, I will work with almond-shaped earrings. Hammering the wire will harden it, and depending on what kind of hammer you use, give it a texture.
I found the easiest way to create the almond shapes is to start with a large coil of wire. Wrap it around a round object like a medicine bottle, Then cut it into individual rings.
Use your flat nose pliers to bend them sharply in the middle. Bend them beyond the point where you would like to have them, then pull them apart.
Add swirls or loops at the bottom to attach beads.
2. Cut a long piece of the thin (24 - 26 gauge) wire. The length depends on how many beads you want to wrap.
3. Start by wrapping a few rounds of the wire around the main wire, then add a bead to the wrapping wire. Bring it down tight against the main wire and wrap a loop to secure it in place. Use your fingers to hold everything snug, so it doesn't move.
5. Continue wrapping around the main wire and not how many loops you are making, if you want your beads evenly spaced. Cut the wire as close as you can. Use your flat nosed pliers to squash it against the main wire. I usually squash and slightly rotate at the same time. Use your fingers to feel for burs.
Once you master the basic wrapping technique you can experiment with variations.
