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Wire wrapping offers a lot of advantages. You can attach top drilled beads and pendents using a wire wrap. Not only does this offer you a great look, it also makes it possible for you to make quick and easy earrings and attaching tear drops and other top drilled beads to necklaces or bracelets.

Tools.

You will need top drilled beads, pendents, or charms for your project. You will also want wire. This can be thicker wire 18 or 20 gauge which will allow you to add additional beads and hold a shape above the top drilled beads, but will be harder to wrap then lighter gauge wire. It can also be lighter wire such as a 22 or 24 which is easier to work and can still be used to add beads, but doesn't hold its shape as well. You will also need wire snippers, round nose pliers, and flat nose pliers (combination pliers can also work).

Method.

Begin by cutting your wire. To create a simple wrap with a loop on the top you will need about three inches of wire for easy working. You can add additional beads, but may need a longer piece of wire to accommodate them. It is easiest if you cut all of your wires before hand.

Next string your bead onto your wire. Bend your wire up so you have one piece about 1" on one side and about 2" on the other side. Bend your wire so that you have the long piece sticking straight up and the short one at a 90 degree angle from it. Carefully wrap the short wire around the longer one. With lighter gauge wire this is easiest using your fingers, but heavier gauge wire will need your round nose and flat nose pliers. Make two or three loops and carefully snip the wire close to the project. Use the flat nosed pliers to press the wire into the project. If it is still sharp (more likely with heavier gauge wires) then it is a good idea to file the edge smooth for a snag free finish.

Next take your wire at the top and make it into a wrapped wire loop. To do this, bend the wire 90 degrees. Carefully wrap the wire around the round nosed pliers (or the round part of the combination pliers). Change your grip to finish the loop. Then carefully wrap the wire around the "neck" of the piece two or three times.

Tips.

Make sure that you use the same number of loops on each piece. This will make your look much more consistent from top drilled bead to top drilled bead.

Make each piece fancier by adding a bead or two (or more) between the top dilled bead's first wrap and the wrapped wire loop at the top.

Learning simple techniques such as how to make a wire wrap on a top drilled bead can make it easy to make great jewelry. You can use this method for really quick earrings, for adding drops to necklaces or bracelets, and even for attaching pendents. Have fun with it and try new things!

Learn more about this author, Danelle Karth.
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