Intro to wire wrapping
Easy Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners
Wire wrapping is a versatile and creative technique used in jewelry making to create
pendants, rings, earrings, and more - without soldering. This tutorial will walk you through a
simple wire-wrapped pendant using a stone or bead. I am an affiliate to the stores that my links take
you to, and I may receive a small fee if you choose to use them to make purchases from them. I hope
this is easy to follow and you’re able to light a passion to make wire wrapped jewelry, thanks for
visiting.
Tools You'll Need
=================
- Round Nose Pliers - For making loops and curves.
- Chain Nose Pliers - For gripping and bending wire.
- Wire Cutters - To trim excess wire cleanly.
- Nylon Jaw Pliers (optional) - To straighten wire without scratching.
I got my first starter kit from amazon I’ll put the link below so you can check it out to see if it’s the right one for you. it has most of the basic things you’ll need to start out and it’s not too pricy.
- Mandrel or Pen (optional) - For shaping consistent loops.
Wire Recommendations
====================
- Material: Copper wire is great for beginners - affordable and easy to work with.
There is full hard, half hard, and dead soft wire. dead soft is the easiest to work with but it can lose its shape easily. However, when starting out this is the best wire to practice with while you’re developing your skill.
- Wire shapes: Round, half round, and square.
- Gauge:
16-18 gauge: great for larger stone or bead works and is more supportive in designs.
20-22 gauge: Ideal for wrapping stones and making loops.
24-26 gauge: Good for wrapping around other wires or beads.
Type: Use dead-soft wire for easy bending and shaping.
The smaller the gauge the larger the wire will be, so a 30 gauge is really thin.
Step-by-Step: Wire-Wrapped Stone Pendant
Materials:
- 1 stone or bead (flat or oval works best)
- 20-gauge copper wire (about 12-18 inches) Here’s a link to amazon for some affordable copper wire, check out the different gauges and see where you want to start.
1. Prep Your Wire: Cut a piece of wire about 12-18 inches long. Straighten it gently with your
fingers or nylon jaw pliers.
2. Create a Bail (Top Loop): Find the center of the wire and wrap it around a pen or mandrel
to form a loop. Twist the wire just below the loop to secure it.
3. Wrap the Stone: Place the stone below the loop and begin wrapping each wire end around
the stone in opposite directions. Crisscross the wires to hold the stone snugly. It takes practice to hold the stone while pulling the wire tight so the stone stays. It’s also why it best to start with lower cost metals than precious ones. I broke several of my wires in the beginning and still do occasionally.
4. Secure the Wrap: Once the stone feels secure, bring the wire ends to the back and twist
them together. Trim excess wire and tuck the ends in with chain nose pliers.
5. Final Touches: Adjust the wire wraps for symmetry and smooth out any sharp edges.
Attach the pendant to a chain or cord.
Tips for Success
================
- Practice with inexpensive wire before using sterling silver or gold-filled wire.
- Use beads with holes if you're not ready to wrap stones. You can even add beads to increase the intricacy of your designs.
- Don’t worry about perfection - organic wraps often look more artistic, and don’t give up, keep practicing, even a simple wrap like this can look elegant.