Wire wrapping is a technique that involves bending wire around stone, sea glass, shells, amber, or other ornamental centerpiece to create a piece of jewelry.Beautiful rings, pendants, necklaces, and other similar kinds of adornments can be created with wire wrapping.You don't need fancy tools to drill and bore into the stone when wire wrapping.You could make your own piece of wire wrapped jewelry with a few simple tools and supplies.
Step 1: Pick your centerpiece.
Maybe you found a beautiful piece of sea glass while walking the beach, or maybe you have a semi-precious stone that you think is just amazing, but you can make a wire wrap art piece.Symmetrical shapes give your wire wrap a more professional look, but sometimes interesting shapes can further accentuate the centerpiece around which you will wrap the wire.A polished stone bead will be used for this example.The principles of wire wrapping can be applied to different types of centerpieces.
Step 2: Pick the wire that suits your centerpiece.
In terms of the material it is made from and its thickness, wire comes in many different varieties.A thicker gauge of wire is required for larger and heavier centerpieces.The wire used in this example is either 20 or 22-gauge, which is frequently recommended for beginners.The thicker your wire is, the lower gauge it is.For example, 8-gauge wire is very thin.You could use copper jewelry wire for your first wire wrap.It is cheap to use copper as a centerpiece and it has a lovely color.You can use gold filled jewelry wire if you feel comfortable with it.
Step 3: You need wire wrapping supplies.
A polished stone bead is used as the centerpiece and is wrapped in brass wire.Most of these supplies can be found at your local hardware or craft store.You will need: 20-gauge square soft wire (4' (1.2 m)), 22-gauge half-round hard wire (1' (30 cm), and a Felt-tip pen Flat-nose.
Step 4: Get your work space ready.
You will want to clear any obstacles that might make it difficult to work with your wire.You don't want to accidentally knock something over with the loose end while trying to cut or bend a longer piece of wire.You can use a work bench, craft table, or drop cloth where you are working.While cutting the metal wire, sharp pieces can fly.Cleanup will be easier with a drop cloth.
Step 5: Attach your frame wires to one another.
Take your 20-gauge square soft wire and clip six pieces.You might need to measure out more wire for a large centerpiece.The central frame of your wire wrap needs to be long enough to warp around your centerpiece.It's thick enough to hold your centerpiece.It might be necessary to use more than six pieces of wire.
Step 6: Cut wires should be collected together.
Make sure the wires are parallel to each other by drawing them tightly together.Use your tape to bind the ends.While you work with the wire, this will keep your bundle in shape.A rounded wire frame is best for your centerpiece.The wire frame has been flattened to better hold the bead centerpiece.
Step 7: To mark the middle of your wire, draw a line.
If you want to find the center of the bundle, lay your wire flat on your work space.You should use your felt-tip pen to mark this point.
Step 8: Cut the first piece of binding wire.
Wrap the middle mark on your bundle with this wire.If you want to free a piece of hard wire, use your wire cutter.
Step 9: At the middle mark, bind your six-wire bundle.
To bend the wire around the bundle, use your pliers to grasp the piece of 22-gauge wire you cut free.Pull the wire tight and hold it against the bundle with your hand.The bundle needs to be wrapped so there are no gaps in its twinnings, and equal length on both sides of your middle mark.It's easier to shape your wire if you grasp it close to its end.The middle mark should not be seen after you finish your bundle.The bottom of your wrap will eventually be made up of this bundle.For a 12-carat stone, the finished binding should be approximately 14 of an inch in width.
Step 10: The next binding sites should be marked.
To draw a line from the edge of your center binding, use your ruler and felt tip marker.You can make another mark with a 14" (6mm) outward from your previous marks.The width of your next binding is determined by the double marks on your middle binding.
Step 11: The wire bundle has tape on it.
You can remove your tape now that you have your middle binding in place and your lines drawn on each piece of your bundle.
Step 12: The cradle is for your centerpiece.
Put your penknife between the topmost wire and the wire below it.This V-shape should point away from the outer wires of your frame.Continue this process until you have four Vs, one on each side of the center binding.The best seating for your centerpiece will be created by four V shaped twists on your center binding.The polished stone bead is small and light, only requiring two V bends.The middle binding should have two V's on it.Each V begins at the edge of the binding, pointing out from the main bundle until the tip is in line with the first mark.To meet the second mark, bend the wire.Allow the remaining wire to run parallel to the main bundle after you make your V bend seating.
Step 13: The ends of the bundle should be re-tapered.
The most stable seating for your centerpiece will be created by keeping your V bends on the outside of your bundle.While doing the next binding, it will keep your wire frame bundle together.
Step 14: Attach more 22-gauge half-round wire to your bundle.
Wrap the wire around your wire frame bundle with your pliers, starting at the outer part of your V's where the V returns to join the rest of the bundle.This is done on both sides of the bundle.Keep the wraps tight, neat, and equal in length while wrapping your second and third binding.There should be a few turns on either side.
Step 15: The seating and wire frame are needed for your centerpiece.
Carefully but firmly, take your pliers and bend your bundle around the centerpiece's edges.The bundle should cross at the center-top of the stone.
Step 16: Prepare the seating for your centerpiece.
Take one of the strands from either side with pliers.Put the wire away from the rest of the wires.
Step 17: Combine the ends of your wire frame.
If you want your first middle binding to be in the opposite direction of the wire frame, align all strands at the top of your design.The bottom of your design will be formed by the middle binding and the combined ends of the six-wire bundle.
Step 18: Attach the strands together.
When making your final binding, this will prevent your wires from being bent out of their intended shape.You have a six-wire bundle.
Step 19: Your binding should be at the top of your design.
Wrap all wires in a binding that twines the top of your design together if you choose the bottommost wire.The hard wire should be wrapped around the top.You can remove the tape once you have finished binding it.
Step 20: The centerpiece should be in your wire wrap design.
To form a secure seating in which the centerpiece sits, use pliers to bend the front and back.Once the centerpiece is in its cradle, take the final wire that has been pointing away from the bundle and wrap it around your centerpiece in a spiral design to further secure it.The spiral design of your wire wrap will make your jewelry stand out.If your centerpiece is loose in its V and front settings, you may want to take another piece from your bundle and add another spiral wrap to the back for support.Adding wavy designs or spirals at the top of your wire wrap will add a personal touch.
Step 21: Excess wire should be cut off.
When trimming excess wire, keep in mind that you need enough leftover at the top to make a loop of wire.You need this loop to thread a neck chain, like a thin strip of leather.
Step 22: To make a loop, bend one or two wires at the top of your design.
You will thread your neckfastener through this O-shape.Depending on the gauge of wire you use, you may want to use one wire or two.