Links: Beaded and Crazy -Tutorial - Basic Wire Working Technique Series

A wrapped loop link is an important technique to learn because it will allow you to incorporate uniquely handcrafted chains into your jewelry.

Tools and Supplies:

Pliers: round-nose and chain-nose

Flush cutters (one side of the cutters are flush and make a straight cut, the other side makes a "V" cut)

Small jewelers file

Wire: I've used copper for my photos. I suggest you begin with copper; it's malleable which makes it easy to work with and it's inexpensive.

Beads of your choice

Single Beaded Link

Begin by making a wrapped loop (click here to refer to my earlier tutorial on wrapped loops). Add a bead.

Place the chain-nose pliers below the bead.

 Make a wrapped loop. 

It's as simple as that! Your finished link should look like this.

To make a chain, use another piece of wire to make a loop and thread it through the loop of the previous link.

Wrap the wire and finish the link as before.

 

Swirl Wrapped Double Beaded Link

Use a long length of wire to make a wrapped loop (click here to refer to my earlier tutorial on wrapped loops). Add two beads. Make a wrapped loop but do not trim the wire.

 

Wind the wire tail around the beads.

Wrap the wire a few times just under the loop.

Trim the excess wire.

Your finished link should look like this.

Crazy Link

Make a wire link with a wrapped loop at each end (click here to refer to my earlier tutorial on wrapped loops).

 

Place the chain-nose pliers about 1/3 of the way into the link.

Use your fingers to put a slight bend in the wire.

Place the pliers about 2/3 into the link and make another slight bend.

Your finished link should look like this.

Or, if you're really feeling crazy, kink the wire a little more.

Here are a couple of examples of how I've used

beaded and crazy links in my jewelry designs.

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Wrapped Loops Tutorial - Basic Wire Working Techniques

In my opinion, wrapped loops are the most basic, yet essential technique to master as they are used in almost every wire design to connect links, dangles, charms, chain, etc.

Tools and Supplies:

Pliers: round-nose and chain-nose

Flush cutters (one side of the cutters are flush and make a straight cut, the other side makes a "V" cut)

Small jewelers file

Wire: I've used copper for my photos. I suggest you begin with copper; it's malleable which makes it easy to work with and it's inexpensive.

Place the chain-nose pliers about 1 1/2" from one end of the wire length. Use your finger to bend the wire at a 90 degree angle.

Place the round-nose pliers at the bend on the wire end that you just bent. The loop size will be determined by where on the pliers you place the wire; smallest at the tip and largest at the bottom. (TIP: I almost always place the wire at the very bottom; this helps to keep consistency in the loop size when I am making several loops for the same project.)

 

Use your finger to bend the wire around the pliers.

 

You will need to reposition the pliers and then continue to bend the wire around until you form a loop with a tail extending outward.

Now place the chain-nose pliers over the loop

(this will help you to hold it without it slipping).

Use your fingers to wrap the tail tightly

around the wire directly below the loop 3-4 times.

Use the flush cutters to trim the wire; be sure to

place the straight cutting side against the wrappings.

 

 Use the chain-nose pliers to tuck the wire down tightly.

If necessary, file the cut edge smooth.

Your piece should look like this.

This necklace is a good example of how the wrapped loop was used to make several beaded links to fashion a handcrafted chain.

click here to return to Katalina Jewelry's main home page