How to Make Wire Jewelry

Learning how to make wire jewelry is made by using simple materials to make a beautiful piece of art and is an easy project. A simple design can turn out to be a thing of beauty in the right hands. It only takes some simple tools and materials to make jewelry you can be proud of and sell for a good price.

The first thing you need to do is get together the things you need. You have to have different sizes of wire. The higher the gauge, the thicker the wire is. The twenty-gauge wire is suitable for most jewelry. Memory wire is very suitable for making bracelets; it will stay in the shape you bend it. All you have to do is string the beads on it and bend the wire over on the end.

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.

You will also need a jig. A jig is merely a board that has pegs sticking out of it. You will use the pegs to shape the wire into the form you want and to prevent it from losing its shape.

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 crimping 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.

It is very easy to make some simple earrings, use a headpin and put beads of your choice on it using an interesting color or design. The head pin needs to be bent at a sharp angle and looped. To complete your earring, use a french wire or other earring finding on the loop and you are done.

As soon as you learn the basics, you can let your imagination run free and create unique pieces of jewelry. There are many different designs you can create to make your jewelry unique and learning how to make wire jewelry is definitely a skill that will enhance it even further.

How to Make Jewelry - Beading Supplies

Learning how to make jewelry is a great way for you to express yourself creatively. There are several different kinds of jewelry crafts and one of the more popular is beaded jewelry.

Bead and jewelry making supplies and tools can quickly add up to major purchases. In addition, you may find huge differences in both quality and function of these items. Beading is one of the most simple and affordable types of jewelry making to get into; plus it has the most versatility when it comes to color, style, and design.

We are back with another post to talk about the tools that you will need to create your homemade jewelry. In previous posts, you learned how to create your basic toolkit of beading tools as well as the best tools to have when you incorporate beading with wire.

So what is the next step now? You've got storage in place and your tools...Oh yea! You need some materials to create your jewelry pieces with.

The first thing you need to decide is what part of making jewelry are you going to start? Now this is not a simple question to be answered, there are so many different types of techniques in jewelry design. For example, there is bead stringing, bead weaving, wire wrapping or just a simple bracelet or necklace.

Bead Stringing –

Bead Stringing is exactly what it sounds like; simply putting beads on a string. I listed this first since it is the most basic techniques and most common for beaded jewelry. It does not require a large amount of skill or specialty tools.

Would definitely suggest you start with one of these types of projects first.

Create a bracelet or necklace using beads of your choice and learn to crimp using crimping pliers.

Bead Weaving –

There are basically two types of bead weaving, one that involves a loom and the other that is done off of a loom. It is the last type that we will be talking about.

All off-loom techniques can be accomplished using a single needle and thread, but some have two-needle variations. Bead weaving results in a flat piece of beading. These creations show pictures or icons, or are done in patterns.

As a technique for making handmade jewelry, stringing is definitely easier than say, bead weaving, but once you become skilled weaving is also a very rewarding technique.

Wire Wrapping –

Wire wrapping is one of the loveliest ways of converting that beautiful stone, shell, or other special small object into handcrafted jewelry. Learn to even design your own rings with precious metal wiring.

Wire wrapping enthusiasts can select from sterling silver, gold-filled or permanently colored solid copper wire.

Now onto the best items to have in your inventory


Ear Wires –

Ear wires are defined simply as pierced earring wire findings with an eye pin attached for connecting to an earring body. If you haven't guessed they are perfect for when your are creating new ear rings.

Crimp Tubes –

Crimp tubes are critical pieces in jewelry design when you are making a piece that is utilizing beading wire and you need to attach a clasp to the end of it.

Getting a handful of the basic ones is fine to start out with; however I'm sure as you've noticed with this hobby is there are many different varieties of all the materials in making jewelry.

Head Pins -

Head pins are one of the staples of many jewelry makers. While you can make your own, it's usually a good idea to have an assortment of these on hand.

They are used to make a variety of jewelry pieces like earrings, bracelets or necklaces. They come in various lengths and usually expressed in inches. These head pins and eye pins are two of the most basic and often-used jewelry findings.

For everything from simple dangles to elaborate constructions, you'll want these components!

Clasps -

Clasps are a very functional and required component used in jewellery making. Their primary function is to secure to ends of your jewelry, such as a bracelet or necklace.

You can choose from sterling silver, copper, premium silver plated, and silver tone clasps and many others, even multistrand clasps.

Clasps are sometimes set with gemstones which can provide a beautiful blending with gemstone beads. They are the finishing touch that makes your bead work stand out and stay secure.

Jump Rings -

Jump rings are one of the most basic and often-used jewelry findings. From elementary applications like attaching a clasp or pendant, to complex functions like building intricate chainmaille, these are essential components! A jump ring is simply a loop of webbing around a steel ring with a snap hook on the end. They’re very simple and incredibly sturdy.

As I said, a jump ring is a simple wire loop. To open them, push one end forward and one end back.

Jump rings can also be joined together to form a simple chain. You can buy jump rings cheaply at any art or beading supply store; however once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that making them is easy and of course much less expensive.

To Wrap It All Up

These items will become a staple of any project that you endeavor to create and will always come in handy if you be sure to store these away in your project room. Homemade jewelry making is an extremely rewarding hobby, as long as you take the time to be properly prepared.

Creativity is encouraged and fun is also required when learning how to make jewelry!