Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. Wire wrapped bead links are a really basic technique in wire jewelry.
Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain
by Deborah Kelly
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Making Loops, Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Wire wrapped bead links are a really basic technique in wire jewelry. And the popularity of stringing some into chain never wanes!

Materials

24 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-24H
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $1.13
  • Gold Club Price: $0.85
Add to Bag
24 Gauge Round Half Hard 14/20 Rose Gold Filled Wire
H6-24H
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $14.62
  • Gold Club Price: $10.96
Add to Bag
24 Gauge Round Half Hard 1/10 Sterling Silver Filled Wire
H10-24H
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $2.02
  • Gold Club Price: $1.51
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart

Tools

Acculoop Precision Round Nose
PLR-741.00
  • PLR-741.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.23
Add to Bag
Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart
Instructions
Step 1
Grasp the 24 gauge wire ½ to ¾ inch from the end with the round nose pliers about half way down the pliers.
Pro Tip: If working off a spool of wire put a bead on the wire before grasping the wire.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 2
Bend the tail of the wire around the round nose pliers.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 3
Wrap the short tail end of the wire around the other end of the wire one to two times. Creating a small loop of wire. Cut off the small tail of the wire as close as possible.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 4
Gently take your chain nose pliers and lightly squeeze the end of the wire and twist it around in the direction the wire wraps around. This will smooth the end of the wire.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 5
If the bead has not been put on the wire, put it on now. Grasp the wire close to the bead near the tips of the round nose pliers. Bend the wire to a 90 degree angle.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 6
Move the round-nose pliers into the bend of the wire and wrap the wire around the round nose pliers once. Wrap the long wire once or twice around the wire going through the bead between the bead and the loop just made.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 7
Cut off the wire close to the wraps and smooth with chain- or flat-nose pliers. If need be, take pliers and adjust the loops at the end so they are facing the same way and are centered coming out of the bead.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 8
Make 21 more links the same color as the first one.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 9
Make a loop like in step 1 and 2 by grasping the wire with the round-nose pliers about ½ to ¾ inch from the end and wrap the wire around one side of the pliers once.

Pro Tip: If working off a spool of wire put a contrasting bead on the wire first.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 10
Take one of the finished links and slip it onto the loop.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 11
Wrap the end of the wire to finish the loop. It is helpful to hold the loop with a pair of chain nose pliers when wrapping the tail end. Cut close to the wrap and smooth down with chain or flat nose pliers.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 12
Slip the bead on the wire if this has not been done already. Use round-nose pliers to bend the wire at a 90 degree angle, move the pliers into the bend and wrap the wire around the top jaw of the pliers to form another loop. If working off a spool of wire cut wire ¾ inch from loop.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 13
Slip another link onto the wire into the loop. Take the tail end of the wire and wrap it around the wire between the loop and the bead one to two times. It is helpful to grasp the loop in a pair of pliers in this step. Cut the wire close to where it is wrapped and smooth with pliers.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 14
Now there are three links combined together.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 15
Continue adding links on the chain which was started following steps 9 thru 13 until all the beads are used up or the chain is as long as desired. If ending on a contrasting bead color, end the loop like the second loop on the links made in the beginning. If the chain is too short just make a few more links and add them on.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 16
Use the short bit of wire to make a couple jump rings on the 2nd step of the 6 step bail making pliers but wrapping the wire around it 3 or 4 times. Slide the coil off the bail making pliers and cut up one side to make jump rings. Skip this step if two jump rings are available.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain
Step 17
Use the 2 jump rings to attach the clasp to the chain.
Deborah Kelly's Wire Wrapped Beaded Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped beaded chain