Making Wire Jewelry

If you’re already familiar with common beading techniques, take your projects to the next level by learning the basics of making wire jewelry.

Essentially, wire jewelry is jewelry that is made by bending wire either by hand or by using jewelry pliers. Gold-filled wire, sterling wire, and copper wire are the types of wire most commonly used for jewelry making.

Beads and cabochons are often used to add interest to wire jewelry designs. In fact, many beading books and magazines contain instructions for simple wire jewelry projects.

To get started making wire jewelry, you’ll need the following supplies:

• Wire: You can purchase wire in many different sizes. However, 20-guage wire is generally suitable for most simple wire jewelry designs.
• Findings: Depending upon the type of project you’re completing, you may need headpins, eyepins, jump rings, earwires, or clasps.
• Chain: Chains can be used as part of your jewelry design, or as a functional element to hold beads.
• Beads: You can find beads in almost any color, shape, and size you can imagine. Glass beads are especially popular in wire jewelry design.
• Pliers: You’ll need both round nose pliers and chain nose pliers to make wire jewelry.
• Wire cutters: A good pair of wire cutters is a necessity when making wire jewelry.
• Jig: A jig is used to bend your wire into a specific shape.

Many of the supplies needed for making wire jewelry can be found at Hobby Lobby, Michaels Crafts, or other large craft stores. However, you can also buy jewelry making supplies from the following websites:

• Wig Jig
• Fire Mountain Gems
• JewelrySupply.com

If you’re worried about keeping your supplies organized, pick up a tool box at your local hardware store. The small compartments are the perfect size for storing everything you need to make wire jewelry.

Wire jewelry projects allow for great creativity. Artists can create designs ranging from fun and whimsical to sophisticated and elegant. You can find wire jewelry designs with geometric shapes, as well as projects that have nature-inspired dragonfly and butterfly motifs.

Wire project ideas suitable for beginners include:

• Beaded wire necklace
• Bead and wire charm bracelet
• Bangle bracelet
• Onion dome wire earrings
• Simple drop earrings
• Gossamer strands crocheted wire necklace

To learn more about making wire jewelry, check out these useful links:

• The International Guild of Wire Jewelry Artists
• Step by Step Wire Jewelry
• Wire techniques

You may also wish to add the following books to your reference library:

• Making Wire Jewelry: 60 Easy Projects in Silver, Copper & Brass by Helen Clegg and Mary Larom
• Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry: Over 35 Beautiful Projects Using Wire and Beads by Linda Jones, Gillian Haslam, and Jacqui Hurst
• Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry by Sharilyn Miller
• Making Designer Bead and Wire Jewelry: Techniques for Unique Designs and Handmade Findings by Tammy Powley

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• How to Make Key Chains with Beads
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