Understanding the Basics …
So… you’ve mastered how to make a simple wire loop, right? Yeah!
So, now it’s time to learn how to make a wrapped wire loop. Wait … Why?
Because, sometimes you need a stronger loop for your jewelry connections – especially when you’re using a thin gauge wire. And, sometimes you just want to see those wire coils in your design.
For purposes of this tutorial, we’re just going to make one wrapped wire loop. However, once you master this, you can use this technique for all sorts of connectors for your jewelry. I’ll be focusing on that in future tutorials, but for now, let’s get started on the basics of wrapping a wire loop.
When making a wrapped loop, you can make as many (or few) wraps as you want. The main things to consider in making this determination are:
- How heavy of a gauge is your wire
- How much strain will be on the connection, and
- What do you want it to look like.
A good general rule of thumb is to use 3 wraps for wire that is less than 20 gauge to ensure that your loop won’t pull out out under strain. When using heavier gauge wire, you can go as low as one wrap. And, for most gauges of wire, if you are using the wire wrapped coils as part of your design you can have as many as you want.
So, before you start, think about what is that you’re going to make. What will its structural design require? Generally, a bracelet will have much more strain on its connections than a necklace. Earrings will have even less. And, what sort of design are you creating? Something delicate will go best with thin gauge wire. Conversely, a bolder design may do best with mid- to heavy-gauge wire. Once you have these answers, you’ll know how to proceed.
That’s the basics …
Now…Here’s the How-To-Do-It part…
Just click the image below for a simple step-by-step tutorial on how to make a wrapped wire loop that shows you everything you need to know to master this step in jewelry making.
Want to see it in motion?
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