Learn how to make your own wire jewelry using a few simple jewelry supplies and learning a few basic steps.
Have you ever tried to bend a piece of thin wire? If this is true, then you have tackled the first step in making your own wire jewelry. Then, with a few more additional instructions, you'll soon be on your way to getting yourself started in your own jewelry making project. It's that simple!
Here are the instructions for making your own jewelry.
First of all you need to acquire the tools necessary to make your wire jewelry, such as jewelry wire, chain or bent nose pliers, flush cutters, small beads, and head pins.
To start your jewelry making project, you will need to use your flush cutters for the piece of jewelry you are making. These flush cutters are used for wire jewelry since they leave a flat side, also called flush, as well as a sharp edge. You want to cut the wire so that a flat side can be used for the jewelry piece when it is finished. Be careful when cutting the piece of wire, to avoid the cut end of the wire from springing away. Some people prefer to wear safety glasses to avoid any mishaps. Keep in mind, working with jewelry wire and jewelry tools is not recommended for children.
Next, since jewelry wire comes in the spools or coils when purchased, you will need to straighten the jewelry wire. Start by using a pair of nylon pliers to avoid marks, and grasping it firmly at the end and pulling it tightly. Then, if you need a curve or bend in your wire for a particular piece of jewelry, you will need to use the bent nose pliers.
Another important method you will need to know in wire jewelry making is how to make a loop in the wire.
There are two basic loops you will need to know how to make, which are the P and Eye loop. First, to make the P loop is essentially making the letter P with the wire. Take your pliers and twist the wire at one end, bending the wire until it meets the other, straight end of the wire. The Eye loop is a continuation of the P loop, but a little further. You will twist the pliers to close the loop and even go a little farther until it touches the straight piece of wire over the center of the hole. Be careful when opening and closing holes so that you don't twist the wire apart and distort the jewelry piece. Gently pull the wire aside with your pliers and if needed add your additional wire or beads and then close the loop with bent closing pliers to avoid any unwanted marks that could occur on the wire.
Finally, once you have the wire cut and bent with the jewelry loops added, then you can add your beads to complete your jewelry piece. Typically, using a jewelry loop, the beads can then dangle from the loop creating a jewelry term called the bead dangle. A head pin is also frequently used in completing the bead dangle since it holds the beads in place. It looks like the head of a straight pin, although the other end is not sharp and is at the end of the straight wire. At the other end of the straight wire a loop can be made that was detailed in the instructions above. Then, cut the remaining straight wire using the flush wire cutters.
The way to connect two loops together to create larger wire jewelry designs is by using an 8 connector. An 8 connector named by the number 8 it creates, is made by starting with a P loop and at the other end of the straight wire making a P loop in the opposite direction.
Knowing the techniques stated above, you can start making a simple pair of earrings. You will just need an additional jewelry supply item which is a pair of ear wires that you can purchase at any jewelry supply store.
Next, make two bead dangles as instructed above. Then, gently open the loop in the bead dangles with your pliers and open the loop in the ear wires, so they can be added to the bead dangles. Then, close the loops and you have a pair of you own handmade wire earrings! For an added variation you can add one or more 8 connectors.
Remember, once you have learned the basic techniques in making your own wire jewelry, you can create that piece of jewelry you've always dreamed of using simple jewelry wire, beads, and a few other jewelry supplies.
