How To Make Wired Bead Jewelry

How to Make Statement Beaded Jewelry.

Over the weekend, I actually set some time aside to zone out, play, learn and make something new. I have made wired beads before for various beaded jewelry pieces, but I never made a largish wire-wrapped center bead.

So, I played with some of my beading, wiring jewelry & other craft resources and when I got inspired, I designed a jewel of a bead! It was fun and easy.

Red Coral Necklace & wire-wrap white pendant by Nichole

The sea glass that we found at the beach will have a new home. And it’s nice to have something you made yourself. My own first ever wrapped bead won’t win the jewelry making contest. so instead, what I’m sharing with you today is my journey.

I learned a few lessons of how to make great beaded jewelry, and and on my journey I came across some really artsy jewelry that I’ll share with you today too.

Tips for Creating Great Wire Beaded Jewelry

Couple of tricks to make good wired center-beads:

seaglass earrings :: beaded jewelry :: FineCraftGuild.com

1. Loop It Twice.

Loop it horizontally twice so you won’t lose your stones.

Just look at the large coral bead in this necklace by Nichole W. Kennedy, or even these wired sea glass earrings which I spotted at Linda Schneider’s OdysseySeaglass.com.

Note: the criteria for necklace pendants are really different than for earrings.

For example, you want something large for your necklace, but for earrings, it’s best to use really light beads as weight matters a lot. Yes, there are a lot of tips and tricks to make good beaded jewelry.

Start today, learn as you go.

2. Use Useless Curls.

Unless you use strong & firm wire, curls should probably be ornamental rather than structural.

3. Hide & Seek.

Secure your wrap around at the back (i.e. like you would when putting a ribbon around a package)

4. Double It Up.

If you have thin wire, go with double or triple layers at a time. Pick the right wire width for your stone to get it to look right.

5. Finishing Matters.

Make a secure hanging loop at the top or back. This is how you finish the top to use your bead as a necklace center bead.

6. Wire Wrap Tools

Use good Jewelry Making Tools, (#ad). e.g. to flatten the metals against the shape.

7. Be Relaxed

Don’t be in a hurry making jewelry. Take your time.

8. Whimsy Works.

I find that just free-form, no pressure doodling brings best results. See this pendant here by Silvia Peluso. Her centerpiece feels so right: whimsical and secure.

9. Themed Approach.

Repeat Repeat. Build a theme with your features, and build. E.g. All sides of this ‘cage’ around the rose quartz center bead are swirly. Individually they are just swirls. 5 together make an adorable cage.

Or, if you wrap with curls, consider making some curls of different sizes and repeat these curls also elsewhere in your necklace or at different parts around the stone.

10. Have Fun.

Life is short. This means that when you get all giddy, because you don’t get ‘this thing’ right, it’s probably time to go to the beach and have a refreshing dip in the water.

3 Highly Recommended Wire Jewelry Resources

Bead on a Wire

In this latest book, author Sharilyn Miller shows crafters of all levels how to get in on the popularity of jewelry and beading, with: An in-depth section on design and construction techniques that makes it simple to get started.

More than 20 step-by-step bead and wire jewelry projects, including gorgeous earrings, necklaces, brooches of and bracelets.

It only takes a few basic steps to start making fashionable jewellery that’s guaranteed to trigger compliments.

All Wired Up

All Wired Up: Wire Techniques For the Beadworker and Jewelry Maker (Beadwork How-To)

The step-by-step techniques featured in this richly illustrated book take the beginner who knows little about wirework on a journey to creating artistic and unique free-form jewelery.

Using round wire that is readily available and economically viable, wireworkers learn everything from how to hold pliers to how to make ear wires, hook-and-eye closures, and cages for marbles and cabochons. Line drawings, photographs of finished objects, and a wirework gallery of pieces by the author and other contemporary wirework artists provide sample creations and ideas for the innovative wire worker.

‘Moods in Wire’ Moods in Wire : An Extended Guide to the Fine Art of Wirewrapping (2nd Ed)

“I have many books on wire wrapping but none is as explicit or has more helpful diagrams for beautiful wire wrapped jewelry. I highly recommend it for any level wire wrappers. I just wish I had the time to make all the beautiful works of art in this book.” ~ review

Best External Links to Learn How to Wire Jewelry

One of the best jewelry making resources have worked with used to be Wigjig.com, e.g. How to Make Gorgeous Hooks & Catches (https://www.wigjig.com/jewelry-tools/WJU/techniques/link2hkctch.htm_)

Image Credit:

Whimsical Wire pendant: Silvia Peluso
Photo Pliers: Cristina Romano

Find more projects tagged …

Crafts w/ Recycled Materials | DIY Jewelry | wire wrap jewelry