Making Wire Jewelry On Your Own
August 29th, 2009
Learning how to make wire jewelry is all about putting a few simple elements together with a stunning end result. Even the most basic project can look elegant with its classic simplicity. With a few simple materials and tools you can make jewelry that most people would spend a lot of money on.
You materials for making jewelry are the first thing you need to get. Get some different thicknesses of wire. Twenty-gauge wire is great for earrings and is good for most other jewelry. Thinner wire will have a higher gauge such as twenty-four gauge is thinner wire than twenty gauge. Memory wire with stay in the shape of a circle when you bend it, this is great for bracelets; just cut the wire, put the beads on, and fasten the ends. It will still be looped and will go around your wrist.
You have to have clasps for fastening the jewelry. Earwires, eyepins, headpins, and jump rings are referred to as findings. You will also need some chain of different types and thickness.
You will also need the right tools to make the jewelry. You will need some small pliers with a round nose. You may have to buy these at a craft shop, as the ones typically sold at a hardware store are too large. Some use chain nose pliers to grip a jump ring or the wire. These pliers are flat on the inside but the outside is round. You will need something to cut your wires with such as wire cutters.
Now that you have all the necessary equipment, it’s time to get started. To make a simple necklace, bracelet or anklet you start with a length of wire and make a loop at the end with your round nose pliers. Thread some decorative beads onto the wire then cut it. But be sure to leave enough wire for a finishing loop. Then you will add a length of chain either with a jump ring or attached directly to the loop that you made in the wire. The last step is to add jump rings on the ends and attach a clasp.
When you have all your materials and tools ready it is time to start making jewelry. Whether you are making a bracelet, anklet or necklace, you need to start with some wire. Use your pliers to make a loop at one end. Thread your beads in the design you want on the wire, when you are done cut the wire making sure you have enough wire left to loop this end also. You then attach a chain to the loop or use a jump ring to connect it. You will then need to add a clasp, do this by attaching rings to the ends and then putting on the clasp.
Once you get the basics down pat, you’ll be able to come up with all kinds of variations to make each piece of jewelry unique. The possibilities of what you can do with this new-found knowledge is endless.
After mastering the more basic jewelry designs, you will no doubt be inspired to create more extravagant designs and ultimately have some eye catching pieces that are unique to you.
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