Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options

by Judy Larson

When playing with new ideas where I am sometimes not sure where the design is going or even if it would work, I like to use silver plated copper core craft wire. It is much easier to scrap the wire from a project when there is significantly less invested monetarily than if precious metal wire was used.

Instructions

The drawback to using craft wire when making bails is its softness.

I was never completely comfortable with the method that most wire wrap/weaving jewelry makers use to finish bail wire ends-trimming the bail wires off below and flush with the last half round wire wrap-when I was using craft wire.

Judy Larson's Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapping a bail

I was concerned that bail wires could be pulled loose if the half round wire bail wrap was not tight enough so I came up with a few different finishing options.

In other pendants shown here, I trimmed wire longer-first photo-and made little loops on each end.

They were then pressed flat against the cabochon-second photo-or curled upward toward and a bit over the back of the wrapped bail-third and fourth photos.

Judy Larson's Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, I trimmed wire longer

Judy Larson's Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, little loops on each end

Judy Larson's Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, then pressed flat against the cabochon

Judy Larson's Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wire wrapped bail options

Another thing I was never comfortable with was how bail wire wraps usually ended most often on the outside of the bail.

Typically, one layer of half-round wire was used to secure the bail wires, leaving two loose ends.

Since half-round wire is soft, those ends could easily snag and pull away from the pendant.

Also, a single layer of half-round wire didn't provide a very strong wrap.

Before shaping the bail wires, leave at least a 1" tail of half-round wire.

Starting at the back base of the bail wires, wrap them together with 4 to 5 tight, side-by-side wraps, ending on the back.

Try not to overlap the wraps.

Do not cut the wrap wires off!

Judy Larson's Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, they were covered with other wires bent over them

Shape the bail wires and bend them down over the back side of the wrapped section.

Make sure the half-round wrap wires are underneath the bent bail wires on the back of the assembly (see first photo).

Hold the bail wire tails tightly against the cabochon.

Working down toward the base of the bail, wrap the long wire tail around the bent bail wires and the wrapped section, securing everything tightly.

Tighten the half-round wire after each wrap.

Try not to overlap the wraps; instead, have them nestle tightly side by side.

Judy Larson's Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Shape the bail wires and bring them down

Judy Larson's Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Hold the bail wire tails tightly against the cabochon

Trim the half-round wrap wire to about 1" long.

Slip the wire tail between the cabochon and bezel, just under the last wrap.

Pull the wire tightly toward the front.

Trim the wire even with or slightly shorter than the bezel wires.

After removing the tape holding the cabochon in place, push the wire end up into the assembly.

Repeat the same process with the other half-round wire tail.

Judy Larson's Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options - , General Education, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Slip the wrap wire tail between the cabochon and bezel

Materials

Silver Plated Copper Craft Wire - variety of gauges and colors

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Cabochons

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Tools

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

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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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5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws

G2-1

G2-1
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
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Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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20 X 15 Inch Padded Work Mat

MAT-620.00

MAT-620.00
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Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

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Optional Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5

G15-20

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $170.72
Gold Club Price: $128.04

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Category: General Education
Technique(s): Wrapping

Reviews

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Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!