Double Swivel Bead

Skill Level: Advanced

Technique: Freeform Wire Shaping & Herringbone Weave Variation

Believe it or not, I came up with this idea from fishing with my dad! Learn to create a wire cage that encompasses free spinning connectors on each end, and swivel. This component can act as a bead, a connector, or a link. I am sure you will find many ways to use my unique Swivel bead.

Note from Dale "Cougar" Armstrong- "When I met Marty in Seattle and saw her Swivel Bead design, I was totally amazed and just had to ask her to share it with us! How very cool!!"

Materials

• 1 12" piece 21-gauge square dead soft twisted wire
• 1 12" piece 21-gauge square dead soft wire (Cut into 1 8" piece and 1 4" piece)
• 1 6" piece 18-gauge round dead soft wire(Cut in half)
• 1 3" piece 12-14 gauge round wire(Called a jig wire below)
• 1-2 4mm to 8mm Beads

Tools

• Chain nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Ring Mandrel
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Wrap the twisted wire around the ring mandrel three times, at the size 10 mark. Carefully remove the wire coil from the mandrel.
   
   
   

2. Insert the jig wire through the center of the loop, under one of the coils. This will hold open the hole, necessary to add the swivel/bead wire later. Use one end of the twisted coil wire to wrap around the jig wire, as well as to lock the coil into place.
   
   
   

3. Center the 8" wire on the opposite side of the coil and use it to wrap around the jig wire, as well as to lock the coil shape.
   
   

4. Splay the coil loops open, forming a ball shape. Use the remaining loose wires at each end to continue wrapping and weaving, loosely through the cage ends, making it more solid. Now remove the jig wire, leaving a nice hole in the center of the woven bead.
   
   

5. On one end of the 18-gauge wire, make a small spiral and then add a bead. Slide this beaded wire into the side of the bead, so the spiral is inside, and slide it through one of the end holes. On the end of the bead wire that is outside of the hole, make a wrapped loop to secure the bead wire inside the woven bead. On one end of the 4" wire, make a spiral and use flat nose pliers to bend the spiral so it is perpendicular to its stem. For balance, insert this wire through the hole on the opposite end of the woven bead and make a wrapped loop on its outside end.
   
   
   
   
   

6. Your swivel bead is now ready to use!
   
   

7. Experiment using more or fewer wires for the cage; also, by using different sizes on the ring mandrel to make the initial coils, you can change the size of your bead.
   
   
   

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