The Five “Cs” of Wire Wrapping: The Circle By Melissa Cable

by Judy Ellis, Wirejewelry.com

Wire Jewelry Tip for June 14th, 2017

The Five “Cs” of Wire Wrapping: The Circle

by Melissa Cable

We’re back with Step 1 of consistent wire wrapped loops: the circle. Creating the perfect circle means that the wire loop is centered over the wire. Notice the difference between the photos. One circle looks more like a backwards “P” while the other loop is a circle centered neatly over the rest of the wire.

To achieve this quality, your movements will alternate between the pliers and wire.

 

Step 1: Circle

Over the next 5 lessons, we’ll create a wire wrapped segment with an 8mm bead in the middle. Start with a 3” piece of wire of any gauge.

Pliers: with the round nose pliers in your dominate hand, grab the wire approximately 1.25” from the end, holding the pliers so they are parallel to the table

Wire: push the wire away from you so it rests at a 90 degree angle (it will point directly away from you)

Pliers: holding onto the wire with your other hand, open the pliers and rotate them away from you 45 degrees. Close the pliers.

Wire: pull the wire towards you and around the top of the pliers (it will point straight down at the table)

Pliers: holding onto the wire with your other hand again, open the pliers and rotate them toward you 45 degrees. Close the pliers. The plier will return to its original position, parallel to the table.

Wire: Push the wire under the pliers on the right side (the tip side of the pliers). Left handed students may find it helpful to push the wire under on the left side, away from the tip of the pliers.

Why?

The act of rotating your pliers away from you is what creates the 45 degree bend in the wire at the point where the wire and circle meet. That bend centers the circle neatly over the wire, preventing it from looking like a P.

Pushing the wire underneath the pliers on the tip side means that in Step 3, when you start to wrap the coil, you will be wrapping towards you. I like to see what is coming! If you want to wrap away from you, push the wire underneath on the right side of the wire, away from the tip of the pliers.

Tip

If you want a consistent sized circle every time, mark your pliers with a Sharpie marker or a piece of masking tape. Even easier, consider purchasing a stepped round nose plier. These pliers have stepped jaws versus the graduated jaws of a standard pair of round nose pliers.

Coming Up in the Coming Weeks!
Five Lessons to Perfect Wire Wrapped Loops
Lesson 1: Circle
Lesson 2: Connect
Lesson 3: Coil
Lesson 4: Cover then Cut
Lesson 5: Clean

Happy Wrapping!

 

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3 Comments

1. 

   Janet

   June 14, 2017 at 12:10 pm

   I’ve never seen a better description of these steps or better explanation of why. Thank you!
   • 

     Melissa Cable

     June 16, 2017 at 1:58 pm

     My pleasure Janet! Be sure to look for the next 4 steps in the coming weeks.
2. 

   Cindy

   June 14, 2017 at 7:00 pm

   Wonderful explanation of how to get it perfect every time. I struggled with this. Now I understand why. Thanks!