Wire Wrapping Tutorials and Helpful Hints

Spiral Hook – Tutorial F002 – Skill level: Beginner

Tools and Supplies:

• Flush cutters
• Chain nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Ruler
• Wire straightening pliers (optional)

• 16 gauge dead soft wire, 6”
• 2 jump rings

Download the Free Spiral Hook Tutorial Now!

This is an inexpensive way to make hooks. Make your hooks big or small, textured or with colored wire – customize the hooks to fit your projects! I like to use 16 gauge wire although 18 or 20 gauge wire can be used but the wire should be textured or hardened after the hook is made if using a smaller gauge to make your hook more sturdy.

This tutorial can be downloaded to your computer. The tutorial is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF file. FREE – Download Adobe Reader

Download the Free Spiral Hook Tutorial Now!

Peruvian Opal Bracelet – Tutorial 003 – Skill level: Beginner

Tools and Supplies:

• Flush cutters
• Size N metal crochet hook or 9 mm diameter round mandrel
• Chain nose pliers
• Round nose pliers

• 16 gauge wire, 17″ (14″ for the frame, 3″ for the hook)
• 26 gauge wire, approximately 3′
• 8 mm beads, approximately 15

Cost:  $ 6.00 USD.

This fun frame bracelet is a great starter project for the jewelry artist who is new to wire wrapping. It is easy to change the length of the bracelet – simply add in or decrease the bends on your frame before wrapping on your beads. You can also use a smaller mandrel (for example, 7 mm mandrel for 6 mm beads) for a smaller, more delicate looking bracelet or use a larger mandrel for semi-precious nuggets and create a large, chunky bracelet. Whichever you chose, just have fun – this is so quick and easy to make!

This tutorial can be downloaded to your computer. The tutorial is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF file. FREE – Download Adobe Reader

Cost:  $ 6.00 USD.

Leather Ends – Tutorial F001 – Skill level: Beginner

Tools and Supplies:

• Flush cutters
• Chain nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Wire straightening pliers (optional)

• 6” 18 or 20 gauge dead soft wire
• 1.5 or 2 mm leather cord

Download the Free How To Wire Wrap Leather Ends Tutorial Now!

This is a great alternative to purchasing the crimp ends for leather – wire wrapping your leather ends does not cost as much as the crimp ends cost and it is a lot more fun to do! Once you have the general idea down, be creative – there are lots of variations that can be created with this simple technique.

This tutorial can be downloaded to your computer. The tutorial is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF file. FREE – Download Adobe Reader

Download the Free How To Wire Wrap Leather Ends Tutorial Now!

Wire Crochet Pearl Bracelet – Tutorial 002 – Skill level: Intermediate – chain and single crochet stitches used

Wire crochet is a simple and fun way to create a unique look for your jewelry. This bracelet is made with a specific pattern in mind, but it is lots of fun to randomly string beads onto your wire to create a one-of-a-kind piece, too!

I used sterling silver for this project but craft wire is a great option, especially with all the different colored wire to choose from.

Tools and Supplies:

Tools

• Flush cutters
• Size 0 metal crochet hook
• Chain nose pliers
• Round nose pliers

Supplies

• 26 or 28 gauge wire, approximately 22′ to 25′
• 6-7 mm white nugget pearls, approximately 50 pearls
• 6-7 mm purple nugget pearls, approximately 25 pearls
• 6-7 mm dark green nugget pearls, approximately 25 pearls
• 4.5 mm 16 gauge jump rings to attach clasp, 6 (The number of jump rings will be determined by what style of clasp you pick. 5 mm jump rings can be used.)
• Clasp

Cost:  $ 6.00 USD.

This tutorial can be downloaded to your computer. The tutorial is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF file. FREE – Download Adobe Reader

Geometric Bracelet – Tutorial 001 – Skill level:  Beginner

Learn how to make this geometric bangle style bracelet. Complete step-by-step written instructions and photographs guides you through this beginner’s project. This bracelet has limitless possibilities – use your favorite beads – crystal, amethyst, vintage German – just go for it! This bracelet was published in Step By Step Wire Jewelry – Fall 2006. Check out my blog entry at Online Wire Wrapping Instructions – Geometric Bracelet.

Tools and Supplies:

Tools:

• Flush cutters
• Chain nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Ruler
• Marker
• Wire straightening pliers (optional)
• Bracelet mandrel (optional)

Supplies:

• 16 gauge wire, 20-24”
• 26 gauge wire, 6-7′
• Flat, oblong focal bead, approximately 2 x 1.5 cm
• 4 mm beads, 6-8
• 1-1.2 cm beads, 6-8
• 20 gauge wire, 6"
• Large cable chain, 1"
• 6 mm jump ring (optional)

Cost:  $ 6.00 USD.

This tutorial can be downloaded to your computer. The tutorial is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF file. FREE – Download Adobe Reader

Cost:  $ 6.00 USD.

My first tutorial article published in the trade magazine Step By Step Wire Jewelry did not suppress my enthusiasm of being published for the second time in this wonderful magazine.

My second tutorial article that I wrote and photographed (most photos were taken by Jules Bombardier as my hands are in the pictures holding the crocheted bracelet for demonstration) was published in the Step By Step Wire Jewelry Winter 2007 magazine. The tutorial article is on a wire crocheted bracelet that is crocheted with 26 gauge sterling silver wire and freshwater pearls.

I started crocheting at the age of 8. Grandma Rush diligently and patiently sat with me and taught me this wonderful craft. She had me start with what I had perceived as huge crochet hooks and the thickest yarn on earth - brilliant woman, she was as this was very easy for my small hands to hang onto and manipulate. Well, I was "hooked" so to speak! I continued over the years to make blankets and potholders for everyone and eventually, sadly after Grandma was gone, taught myself how to crochet with thread and make beautiful doilies (I certainly would have loved to share this with her).

I remember one time at the very beginning of my crocheting experience asking Grandma for written instructions on how to crochet a blanket. Her reply was something like this, "Honey, you don’t need instructions. Just look at what I am doing and do it!" For this, I am eternally grateful to her. From that moment on I learned how to put things together on my own and develop my own ideas, designs, and patterns.

A couple of summers ago I decided to give a try at wire crochet. I love this aspect of jewelry design and have crocheted many necklaces and bracelets (some earrings, too) and by the luck of the draw, Step By Step Wire Jewelry loved what I did, too, to which again, I am very grateful and feel very blessed to be published in such a wonderful magazine.

So one sunny afternoon (yes, even in the winter the sun still shines here in the desert), I wandered out to my mailbox and there once again was a package with my copies of the magazine inside. Of course, I had thought that the magazine was not yet due out and I was delightfully surprised to have it "so early." Guess I should ask the publisher when the next magazine is coming out to eliminate the surprise on my end!

In the next upcoming Step By Step magazine, I will have two bracelets published - one in the Wire Works Gallery (just a picture, no tutorial) and the second bracelet is a Peruvian opal wire wrapped bracelet - quite stunning. The bracelet that will be in the Wire Works Gallery will be published as a tutorial down the road so stayed tuned!

You can find more crocheted pieces of mine at Jewels By Jules. Not too many pieces are left on line but I hope to find the time after the holidays to publish more pieces!

Publications - Step By Step Wire Jewelry, Winter 2007
Wire Crochet Pearl Bracelet, page 25

At the time you place your order with Jewels by Jules, request your free gift wrapping on your handcrafted wire wrapped jewelry and trendy purses. Red foil wrapping paper available as pictured. Last day of shipment for Christmas orders is December 21, 2006.

I have been crocheting for many years. I started with large crochet hooks and thick thread as a child and many years later, I learned to crochet with bedspread weight thread and small crochet hooks.

If you are a beginner, there are multiple books on learning to crochet. Check out your library to find a book you like or better yet, check out several books. I find it is helpful to read text written by different authors to see which one conveys instructions that make the most sense to me. I did not have lots of luck finding many books specifically on bead crocheting or for that matter, crocheting with sterling silver wire, one book on bead crocheting that I found and purchased, Bead Crochet by Bethany Barry, has been helpful and very inspirational – what talent Ms. Barry has!

If you already know how to crochet, great! If you have only crocheted with yarn, you might want to try crocheting with bedspread weight thread first before trying wire. I would suggest size 10 bedspread thread (very common and easy to find – Walmart, Michael’s, Joanne’s or probably just about any craft store). I would avoid using sizes 20 or 30 as these sizes are very fine. Crocheting with thread has a different feel than crocheting with yarn and with wire being fine like thread, it could be helpful to learn this first. Also, practicing with bedspread weight thread will help give you the feel of using a smaller crochet hook with the fine thread. It will also help you with gauging your tension as you hold the thread and help with creating smaller stitches – all very different feels than using yarn. When I transition back to working with yarn when crocheting a blanket, the crochet hook and yarn feel big and bulky to me. Likewise, the thread and small crochet hook will feel tiny to you at first.

Suggestion:  Look for bedspread weight thread that is on sale and/or buy an inexpensive brand. There are lots of different brands out there and some of them are pricey. Personally, I would go for practical, not pricey. Once you learn how to crochet with beads and you want to divert from using sterling silver wire from time to time or maybe all the time, that is when I would splurge and buy nice bedspread weight thread for my pieces. There are lots of really fun threads out there – I really like the ladder thread and the fuzzy threads.

So with all that said, here is what I did to learn how to transition from thread to wire:

• I first crocheted with beads using thread to get the feel of placing the beads.
• I then transitioned to craft wire (26 or 28 gauge) and practiced extensively with that.
• At long last, I used sterling silver.

I practiced several times with thread and beads and then later with craft wire and beads. I made swatches that I later took apart because I had used my regular stash of beads. You can save yourself the hassle of undoing your practice swatches simply by using beads that you won’t mind throwing away. I would suggest using inexpensive seed beads, 2 and 4 mm sized beads, and/or plastic beads. A source for inexpensive beads is yard sales. Buy somebody’s old jewelry, cut the strands up, and use the beads. And on your adventure, should you chose this route, you may find a gem of a necklace that you have to add to your personal collection! Of course, Walmart has inexpensive beads and saves you the time of finding and cutting up old jewelry. You can also find great buys on beads and thread on auction sites.

It may take you several practice sessions of crocheting to get to the point that you feel comfortable enough to use sterling silver wire. Or you might master the skill with one or two tries. If you are like me and need several practice sessions with your thread and craft wire, don’t despair! By the time I ventured into wire crochet, I had been yarn and thread crocheting for, well, lots of years (I started crocheting at age 8 so let’s just say lots and lots of years) and I found this to be a challenging skill to learn. If you are getting frustrating, put your crocheting down for a day or two and then go back and give it another try. Once you learn how to do this, you will love the unique pieces you can create!

Currently, I primarily use 26 gauge sterling silver wire. Many wire crocheters use 28 gauge. I use 28 gauge when using small beads (4 mm and smaller). When crocheting with larger beads and especially with semi-precious stones, I like to use the heavier 26 gauge. It is more hard on your fingertips (I get calluses), but I tend to break 28 gauge wire. This does not mean that you will break 28 gauge. I believe it is the tension that the individual creates when crocheting, and I tend to hold my wire tightly and pull hard so 28 gauge is too wimpy for me.

There is a new type of sterling silver on the market called Argentium. Argentium silver contains 92.5% silver, the same as sterling silver. The difference between the two types of silver wire is the copper. Sterling silver is made with 7.5% copper. Argentium has replaced copper with germanium. Copper is the tarnishing factor in sterling silver so with this eliminated, the inventors of Argentium have created a virtually tarnish free silver. This tarnish free feature is very beneficial when crocheting with sterling silver. Cleaning a crocheted piece of jewelry is extremely difficult because of the intrinsic nature of the piece so using Argentium and storing your crocheted jewelry in a plastic bag will keep it looking virtually like new for years to come.

Getting Started:

Before making your first stitch, whether in a practice swatch or the real McCoy, you must string your beads onto your medium (thread, craft wire, or sterling silver wire). You can thread your beads onto your thread or wire in a pattern or you can randomly thread them on. For random threading, you can use a bead spinner. I have never used one, but they look quite handy, and they very quickly string your beads. My thought is that they would be exceptionally handy if you were using seed beads or other small sized beads (it would take a considerable amount of time to string seed beads).

I was recently published for the second time in Step By Step Wire Jewelry magazine, Winter 2007, Wire Crochet Bracelet, page 25. This bracelet was done in a pattern and the tutorial explains laying out a pattern in detail along with step by step instructions and photos on crocheting the bracelet with the level of difficult being intermediate. I know that Barnes & Noble carries this magazine and I am quite sure that many other bookstores and craft/bead stores would also carry it.

Helpful Hints for Problems that May Arise:

Stitch Error:

If you make an error in a stitch, it is difficult, but not impossible, to unravel a stitch or two but not an entire chain or piece (this pertains to sterling silver wire, not thread). 26 gauge is easier and more forgiving to unravel than 28 gauge is. Unraveling does harden your wire so do it gingerly as your wire can get brittle and break. Pull your stitch out slowly and gently to prevent it from kinking.

Running out of Wire/Breaking Wire:

If you break your wire in the midst of a project, no worries! Simply create a new slip knot on your crochet hook and continue on from where the wire broke. Be sure to weave your two wire ends into your bracelet (I usually do this when I am completely done crocheting the entire piece). Likewise if you run out of wire, grab a new spool. You will have to re-string your beads onto the new spool but then you can continue on and weave in the ends.

Crochet Hooks:

I use only steel crochet hooks, sizes 0 to 2, using 2 with smaller beads and 0 with larger beads. You would not want to use wooden crochet hooks, and I have never tried plastic, but I would guess that the wire would ruin a plastic crochet hook and probably gouge it or mark it as the wire would with a wooden crochet hook.

Beads

The smallest sized beads I have used were extremely small seed beads, must have been a 10° or 11°, and they were too small. Seed beads are used quite often in wire crochet but no smaller than 8°. I have used odd shaped beads and as large as 8 mm beads. I am careful to surround the larger beads and odd shaped beads with smaller beads so when crocheted, my piece does not become too bulky. I love to crochet random designs where there is no set pattern - just grab a bunch of beads that look great together, string them onto the wire, and crochet. So string your beads and away you go!

Jewels By Jules has a new look! Our site has been completely redesigned by Accrete Web Solutions. In addition to our new look, we have also added lots of new pieces of jewelry including several new lines:

• BeJuled™ Toggles - Jules is the designer and fabricator of a very unique line of sterling silver toggles, BeJuled™ Toggles (plans for a nominal fee tutorial is on the burner for early 2007)
• BeJuled™ Cuff Bracelets - One-of-a-kind freeform wire wrapped bracelets.
• Leather Cord Bracelets - Greek leather cord wire wrapped with silver sterling.
• Closeout Jewelry - Great deals on fashionable jewelry up to 40% off!

Christmas Shopping - We have lots of great jewelry gifts for under $50 or check out our Closeout Jewelry with gifts under $20!

Free Christmas Gift Wrapping - At the time you place your order, request your gift wrapping.

Kudos to S. R. Emerson of Accrete Web Solutions for creating such a great site!

Earlier this year (2006), I met a representative of Step By Step Wire Jewelry magazine . Of course, I had on a wire wrapped necklace and bracelet at the time. The rep commented on my pieces and asked me if I would be interested in publishing tutorials – um, that really seemed like a no-brainer – YES! So after submitting various jewelry pieces to the magazine for consideration, much to my complete amazement and delight, five pieces were selected for publication! To describe the happiness and excitement I felt at that moment would be overly-simplified to say that I was on top of the world! Go figure – little ole me getting published! With tears in my eyes, I jumped and yelled in glee after receiving the news of being published while my two dogs cowered in the corner (my cat took off down the hallway), with my dogs looking at me as if I had finally and officially lost it completely. And, well, yes I had.

So I got busy. I had a deadline to meet for my first tutorial – the Geometric Bracelet. First I collected my thoughts about going about writing a tutorial with step by step instructions and pictures and then dug in to get the job done. After what seemed like an eternity and picture after picture, I was finally done. Writing the instructional steps was a breeze but the pictures! But at last the task was complete and off to the magazine went the tutorial, pictures, and the completed bracelet. Now came the waiting.

And waiting. And waiting.

As I strolled out to my mailbox one September afternoon, never expecting to find my magazine to have arrived so soon in the month, I opened up my box and there it was! Dropping the rest of my mail in the dirt, I tore open the envelope (I received extra copies and they were sent bundled together), and there it was – my bracelet on the cover of a magazine. Frantically flipping through the pages to find my article, on page 49 was my Geometric Bracelet. Picking up the remainder of my mail out of the dirt, I ran up my long driveway and slammed into my house.

My mom lives 35 miles one way from me – not too far but we don’t see each other as often as we would like. Well, guess what? My Mom happened to be visiting me ON THAT DAY! What a great day it was – spending time with my Mom AND receiving my first published article to share with my Mom. It was a great moment that I will always remember.

Publications – Step By Step Wire Jewelry, Fall 2006
Geometric Bracelet, page 49