Wrapped Loops Tutorial
November 05, 2009 | By
Last week I showed you how you can make your jewellery loops even and consistent. This time round I will show you how I do my wrapped loops. This is not the only way to do it, but I find it works really well for me.
First up, you need three basic tools - A pair of pliers (chain nose is a good choice), Round nose pliers and flush or side cutters.
Thread your beads as desired onto a headpin (or eye pin), then use the chain nose pliers to make a 90 degree bend just above the top bead, leaving a gap of about 3mm. The bigger the gap you leave the more wraps you will need to do.
Then take hold of the wire with your round nose pliers, as in the picture below. Where you place the wire on the pliers will determine how big your loops are. A good trick to make them consistently sized is to mark your round nose pliers at the point that makes loops the size you want. My pliers have developed a 'worn' spot where I usually turn my wrapped loops.
Then take the wire up and over the top of the round nose pliers with your fingers. It should end up looking like the picture below. This is the point at which you should place any clasps or other wrapped loops on to the loop, before we start the wrapping steps.
Now with your pliers in the partly formed loop take the wire and bend it further around until it crosses over, as in the picture. Then take your chain nose pliers in your left hand and the round nose pliers in your right hand. Grab hold of the very end of the headpin wire, as in the picture. If you are left handed you will need to swap the hands the pliers are in.
Using the chain nose pliers wrap the wire around the headpin until you 'fill' most of the gap above the beads. It take a little bit of practice to do neatly, but once you get the hang of it it is fairly quick. Once you have done the wraps, use your flush or side cutters to trim the wire against the beads. You are almost done, but there is a little to do to neaten it up.
Once you have trimmed the wire, take the round nose pliers in your left hand and put them back in the loop. Then take your chain nose pliers and gently squeeze the cut end of the wire in. It should push in under the wraps. You need to do this to make sure that the cut end does not scratch the wearer or catch on anything.
And now you have a neat wrapped loop that you can attach other findings to.
Jennifer is a self taught jewellery designer and maker whose creations can be see in her studios HaffinaCreations and BeadsByHaffina on ArtFire. She also has a website HaffinaCreations
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