Using Bead Tips

Have you ever wondered how to use bead tips? This is quite a handy component to incorporate into your creations!

Wire Wrapping Tutorial in PDF

During this coming weekend, I will be compiling my previous step-by-step wire wrapping tutorial into PDF format. If you would like to print out a hard copy of this step-by-step tutorial for quick future reference, please feel free to leave me your name and your email address in the comment below this post. Please make sure your email address is correct before you submit it, so the file will be able to reach you. All the comments here will be invisible to the public.

Right Angle Weave

If you want to learn how to do right angle weave, this is a great video to watch. Karla also teaches you how to make a crystal beaded bead using this technique.

Necklace 001Level of difficulty: ♥♥♥

This is a necklace I made using wire wrapping with headpins technique. Below are the tools and supplies that you will need for this necklace.

If you are interested in making an identical necklace as shown in the picture, you may purchase the kit at my store.

Tools:
Chain-nose plier
Round-nose plier
Side Cutter

Materials:
7 x beads of one kind
6 x beads of one kind
16" metal chain
1 x clasp
2 x jump rings
13 x 1.5" ~2" headpins

Directions:
1. Before you start, line your chain flat on the table, and place the beads in the order and position that you desire them to hang on the chain. If you prefer an even look, you might want to count how many links are between each bead to make sure they are evenly spaced out.
2. Using wire wrapping with headpins technique, add all the beads to your desired position on the chain. Remember that you need to attach your unfinished wire wrap at step 8, before you close your wrap.
3. After you have finished attaching all the beads, wrap it around your neck to see if it is your desired length. If not, cut off the excess chain from both side of your chain, so that you have equal length of empty chain on both side.
4. Attach the clasp to the chain by using jump rings.

Wire Wrapping withHeadpinsLevel of difficulty: ♥♥♥Total steps: 13

This is a very useful technique to learn. If you are new to wire-wrapping, you might find it a little challenging at first. However, do not feel discouraged after a few tries. Keep practicing, eventually you will be able to remember all the steps, and your skill will improve. This is a skill that you will find very indispensable. Feel free to leave me a comment if you have any question!


You will need these tools:

Chain-nose pliers
Round-nose pliers
Side Cutter

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 1

You need a headpin, approximately 2 inches long, and a bead (I used a 10mm glass pearl)

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 2

Now, string the bead unto your headpin like this.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 3

Use your chain-nose pliers, grab your headpin, leaving about 2-3 mm gap above your bead.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 4

Now, holding the pliers in your hand, make a 90 degrees bent, so your headpin will now look like this. Make sure the gap is still present above the bead.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 5

Take your round-nose pliers, position your pliers by grabbing your pin as shown in the picture on the right.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 6

While holding your pliers with one hand, use your other hand to bent the pin upwards and around the curve of the tip of the round-nose pliers. Your pin should now look like the picture on the right.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 7

Now, reposition your round nose pliers by moving the lower tip of your pliers upward, so your pliers are now grabbing the wire loop which you just formed in the previous step.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 8

Keep grabbing tight to your pliers with your dominant hand, and use the other hand to bent your pin 180 degrees to the other side. This is the loop for your wire-wrap.



It is important to pause here if you would like to attach any chain or components that has a closed or soldered loop. Simply take your half-finished wire wrap, and slide your desired chain or other jewelry component's ring through the pin, so that the link of your chain or a jewelry component's loop falls inside your half-finished wire-wrap loop.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 9

Now, take your chain-nose pliers again, grab the loop that you had made previously as shown in the picture. My loop is now lying flat between my pliers.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 10

While holding the loop with your pliers, use your other hand to wrap the remaining portion of your pin closely around the gap above the bead. Usually you will need between 2 to 3 wraps. I almost always make 3 wraps. Think about this step as wrapping the scarf around the neck.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 11

Your wire-wrap should look like this after the wrapping.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 12

Take your side-cutter, and trim off the excess pin.

Wire wrapping with headpins: Step 13

Your wire-wrap is now finished!