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Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire. This little cutie can be used as a bracelet charm, a pair of earrings or a dainty pendant.

Key to My Heart

by Elizabeth Schultz
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Wrapping, Weaving
  • Skill Level: Beginner
This little cutie can be used as a bracelet charm, a pair of earrings or a dainty pendant. The possibilities are endless!

Materials

18 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-18H
  • Lesson Quantity: 8.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $0.81
  • Gold Club Price: $0.61
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26 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-26H
  • Lesson Quantity: 9.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $0.24
  • Gold Club Price: $0.18
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2mm beads
  • Lesson Quantity: 7.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 7.00 each
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face
G3-27
  • G3-27
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Steel and Wood Bench Block 3x3 Inch
G17-25
  • G17-25
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Instructions
Step 1
Materials: (8") 18 gauge round wire, (7-9") 26-28 gauge round wire, (x7) 2mm beads - Tools: Chain-nose pliers, round-nose pliers, flush cutters, chasing hammer, anvil and a ruler.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Materials
Step 2
Bend the 8" segment of 18 gauge wire in half , (at 4"), and compress tightly with the chain-nose pliers.

Careful not to mare the wire!
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Careful not to mare the wire
Step 3
While holding the bend with your chain-nose pliers, gently begin to pull the wires downward on either side to create a heart shape.

(You can also use a mandrel, pencil or dowel to help shape the tops of the heart).

The right side wire should be on top of the left side wire.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, pull the wires downward on either side to create a heart shape
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, You can also use a mandrel
Step 4
After forming the heart, begin twisting the wire.

To help you get an even twist, make sure that the two segments of wire are extended to each side and leverage them with your fingers.

Also apply slight pressure with your right hand.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, After forming the heart, begin twisting the wire
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Also apply slight pressure with your right hand
Step 5
Complete 5-6 twists.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Complete 5-6 twists
Step 6
Use your chain-nose pliers to extend the right-side wire downward.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Use your chain-nose pliers to extend the right-side wire downward
Step 7
Next, bend the wire at about 3/8" from the twist and compress with your chain-nose pliers.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, bend the wire at about 3
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, twist and compress with your chain-nose pliers
Step 8
Pull the both wires to the left side of the charm.

Trim the bottom wire at about 1/2".

Trim the top wire about 1/8" shorter than the bottom wire.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Pull the both wires to the left side of the charm
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Trim the bottom wire
Step 9
Grab the round-nose pliers and begin to loop the bottom wire about halfway and the trim with your flush cutters at a diagonal angle.

Continue swirling the wire towards the body of the charm.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Grab the round-nose pliers
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, trim with your flush cutters at a diagonal angle
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Continue swirling the wire towards the body of the charm
Step 10
Do the same with the top wire, only swirling in the opposite direction from the other wire.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Do the same with the top wire
Step 11
Here's how the key should look thus far.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Here's how the key should look thus far
Step 12
Next, lightly hammer the body, the heart and the swirls of the charm.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, lightly hammer the body
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, key to my heart
Step 13
Here's what it looks like after hammering.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Here's what it looks like after hammering.
Step 14
(Optional) If you would like to remove hammer marks and tool marks, you can lightly buff them out with 700 grit sandpaper.

(ONLY do this step if your wire is NOT coated!)
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, remove hammer marks and tool marks
Step 15
Take your 26 or 28 gauge weaving wire and stick it through the heart from behind and wrap it around the heart 3 times.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Take your 26 or 28 gauge weaving wire
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, key to my heart
Step 16
Next, string on your 2mm bead and then wrap the weaving wire around the heart 2 times.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, string on your 2mm bead and then wrap
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, weaving wire around the heart 2 times
Step 17
Repeat step 6 until all your beads have been secured to the frame.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Repeat step 6 until all your beads have been secured to the frame
Step 18
After wrapping all the beads to the heart, wrap the wire under the last bead one time.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, After wrapping all the beads to the heart
Step 19
Trim the wire and tuck it in between the beads.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Trim the wire and tuck it in between the beads
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, key to my heart
Step 20
Trim and tuck the start of the wire behind the heart.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Trim and tuck the start of the wire behind the heart
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, key to my heart
Step 21
Here's the finished key.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, key to my heart
Step 22
Next, create a jump ring using the longest piece of wire left over from creating the key.

Be sure that the flat side of the flush cutters are facing where you would like the wire to be flush.
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, create a jump ring using the longest piece of wire
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, key to my heart
Step 23
Use your chain nose pliers to open the jump ring and hang the charm.

(Be sure to bend sideways rather than pulling it apart. This will misshape your jump ring.)
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Use your chain nose pliers to open the jump ring and hang the charm
Step 24
And here's the finished piece! You could create another charm to create a pair of earrings, use it as a bracelet charm, a key chain or as a simple pendant.

The possibilities are endless!
Elizabeth Schultz's Key to My Heart - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, key to my heart

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