Until Next Time Wire Tutorial

I recently ran my first eCourse devoted to wire working, Aspire to WIRE. On the last day of class, I shared this tutorial as a how-to solution to show off the hole side of a disc bead. I thought y’all would like to try it out too.

One of my tips… sometimes your hands are the best tool when making handcrafted jewelry. Go figure!

Tools – 
wire cutters
mandrel

Materials – 
18g round dead soft silver wire
22g round dead soft silver wire
1 lampwork disc bead (or other art bead) you want to show off the hole side of

Instructions – 

One of the cool things about this pendant is that you need hardly any tools to make it. A round object the size of a pen, wire cutters, and your bare hands are all that are needed. And it takes just FIVE simple steps. This will work with any size disc bead and would even work with other shaped beads. You’ll need to start with a piece of 18g silver wire that is 8″ (20cm) long. Fold it about 3″ (7.5cm) from one end and slide your bead onto the wire. Pinch the wire so that it hugs tight to the bead. 

Wrap the shorter length of wire around the longer one as you would for a wrapped loop. Trim the excess wrapping wire. 

Tightly coil 22g wire around the remaining wire until 3″ (7.5cm) is covered in coil. Trim the coil wire ends and butt the coil up close to the wraps made in the previous step.

Wrap the coiled wire around a mandrel and treat it like a wrapped loop. Simply wrap the coiled wire around those starter wraps. You should have an area of the coiled wire that is bare core wire. Wrap that once around the link too. And then trim your excess wire.

And there you have it… a great bail for a disc bead that shows off the hole side of the bead! Pretty sweet, wouldn’t you say? You can slip it onto a beautiful sterling chain or a strand of silk cording.

Please note: This tutorial is intended for personal use only. Please do not sell or distribute this as your own. You may sell work created with this tutorial, however, I ask that you please note on your product listing “Project Designed by Kerry Bogert“.