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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