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Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs.

by Kylie Jones
Simple loops are an easy way to join elements in a design. Varying the size of your loops to match the elements in each design will enhance the look of your jewelry. Loops may be simple but improving their form and finish will add to the professional look of your jewelry.
Instructions
There are different ways to make simple loops. The way I like to make loops is to bend the wire 90 degrees, then grasp the very end of the wire in the round nose pliers and roll the wire around into a loop. At this point small adjustments need to be made to make the end fit well to the shank. Sometimes you need to round the loop more, sometimes you need to re-establish the angle of the original 90 degree bend, sometimes you need to do both.
This method requires that you know about how much wire you need to make the size loop you want. The outer diameter of the loop x 3 is a good starting point for this measurement. After you have made lots of loops this becomes more instinctive.
Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, perfect simple loops
Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, simple loops
Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, perfect loops
Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, perfect loops
Trouble shooting

The wire end should sit flush up against the shank. You need to have a straight cut across the end of the wire. Use flush cutters or you can file the end of the wire straight across.

Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, perfect loops
It is easy to get a straight section of wire at the beginning of the loop which spoils the look. To stop this happening make sure you are just grasping the very tip of the end of the wire in your round nose pliers. If you find this difficult another way is to allow a little more wire and trim off the straight section of wire once you have rounded the loop.
Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, perfect loops
Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, perfect loops
Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, perfect loops
Marks where the pliers have dug into the wire can spoil a nice loop. Use pliers with a flat plastic jaw to stop these marks. Try a few different round nose pliers, I find my round nose pliers are all different and some are better than others at specific tasks. Once you find the perfect tool for the job everything becomes easier.
Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, perfect loops
Make sure you are starting with wire that is straight. Use plastic jaw pliers to straighten the wire, smoothing out all of the small kinks.
Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, perfect loops
Kylie Jones's Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, perfect loops

Materials

20 Gauge Round Half Hard 1/10 Sterling Silver Filled Wire
H10-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $1.30
  • Gold Club Price: $0.97
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Tools

Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
Add to Bag
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  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Making Loops

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