The Five Cs of Wire Wrapping Step 2 Connect

by Melissa Cable

The next step in our in-depth look at the perfect wire wrapped loop is how to connect wire loops together. At this point, your circle is still open so you can slide a piece of chain, closed jump ring, component, or another wire wrapped loop into the circle before coiling it closed in Step 3. Of course, the loops on many jump rings and earwires can be opened, so you can complete your wire wrapped loop before connecting them to these types of components.

In this step, we will learn HOW to connect and WHEN to connect. But first, let’s review the parts of the circle we created in Step 1.

We have a CIRCLE with a TAIL and a longer wire BASE.

Melissa Cable's The Five Cs of Wire Wrapping Step 2 Connect - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Photo 1

Make sure you do not confuse your tail with your base. If you do, you may not have enough wire to hold the bead.

Next week in Step 3, we will coil the tail around the base and add a bead.

Then we will create another wire wrapped loop on the opposite side using the remaining base.

HOW to connect

After forming your circle, place the tail into the loop of the connector, which in this case is another wire wrapped segment.

Notice in the photo how the tail is held between the thumb and forefinger, while the base is held between the thumb and middle finger.

Melissa Cable's The Five Cs of Wire Wrapping Step 2 Connect - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Photo 2

Holding everything in place helps prevent the circle from becoming misshapen when you pull the connector through the space where the circle and base meet.

WHEN to connect: Build-as-you-go method

I prefer the build-as-you-go method because it lets me see the project take shape as I work. In this method, you start at one end and connect pieces together until you reach the desired length.

Sometimes you may start in the center and work outward from each side so the design stays balanced.

Either way, you connect after every other wrap.

Segment 1: Create a wire wrapped loop, load a bead onto the wire, then create a second wire wrapped loop on the opposite side of the bead.

Rest of Segments: Create a wire wrapped loop, load a bead, form a circle, connect it to the previous segment, then finish your Cs (coil, cover, cut, and clean).

Melissa Cable's The Five Cs of Wire Wrapping Step 2 Connect - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Photo 3

Why?

I always connect on the second circle because it gives me one fewer step where previous segments can get in the way while I coil.

If I connect during the first circle of a new segment, those earlier segments hang in my way for both wire wrapped loops.

WHEN to Connect: Assembly-line method

Once you feel comfortable with a design and no longer need to see it take shape as you go, you can switch to an assembly-line approach.

Complete both wire wrapped loops for every other segment and skip connecting them to anything.

For the segments in between, do the opposite, and connect on both ends.

Melissa Cable's The Five Cs of Wire Wrapping Step 2 Connect - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Photo 4

Why?

It’s the same number of wraps and connections, right? It is indeed. But, by breaking it into repetitive tasks, you will find that your speed increases as you specialize in that task. And hey, if you add a little music, according to one of my favorite magazines, you may even go faster!

Click below to navigate to the next lessons in this series:

Five Lessons to Perfect Wire Wrapped Loops
The Five Cs of Wire Wrapping Step 1: The Circle
The Five Cs of Wire Wrapping Step 2: Connect
The Five Cs of Wire Wrapping Step 3: Coil
The Five Cs of Wire Wrapping Step 4: Cover then Cut
The Five Cs of Wire Wrapping Step 5: Clean