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How to wire-wrap a bead pendant

DISCLAIMER:  This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.  Please read my disclaimer for more info.

May 23, 2020 by Chantal

Wire wrapping a bead is a simple and easy way to make a cute pendant which can be hung from a chain or cord.

In this tutorial, I use 18 gauge wire and a 10mm bead but I encourage you to experiment with different sizes of wire and beads to achieve a slightly different look.

Want to learn how to wire-wrap stones? Check out Wire-Wrapping for Beginners

LEVEL: BEGINNER

Materials & Tools

  • 1 – 14” piece of wire – 18 Gauge Round Wire
  • 1 Bead (10-12 mm) with hole big enough for wire
  • Jump Ring
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Round Nose Pliers
  • Wire Cutters

STEP 1

Cut 1 piece of wire – approximately 14” in length. This will give you lots of wire to work with.

Position your needle nose pliers approximately 4-5” from the top as shown in pic.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 1

STEP 2

Make a bend in the wire.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 2

STEP 3

Position your round nose pliers as shown in pic.

Please note that where you place your wire on the pliers determines the size of the loop at top of pendant (bail size)

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 3

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Want to learn more wire-wrapping

STEP 4

Wrap the short end up & around the top barrel of the round nose pliers.

Form a loop around the barrel.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 4

STEP 5

Here is what the loop should look like. This will be the bail of the pendant.

Note: The “bail” is used to suspend the pendant on a necklace. For this type of bail, you’ll need a jump ring in order to hang from cord or chain.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 5

STEP 6

Position your needle nose pliers over loop as shown in pic. This is to keep the wire steady for the next step. The “short end” wire should be crossing over the bottom longer wire.

(If you have nylon jaw pliers, use those instead. It will prevent any scratching to the wire).

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 6

New to wire-wrapping?

Check out Wire-Wrapping for Beginners

RELATED CONTENT

  • How to Make a Wire-Wrapped Bead Link
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  • How to Make Jump Rings
  • How to Wire-Wrap a Bead Pendant
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STEP 7

Wrap the short end around the back of the long wire.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 7

STEP 8

Bring the short end around to make a loop around the long wire.

Step 8

STEP 9

Make 8-9 loops around the long wire. Pay special attention to keeping your pliers steady (to make the wrapping easier)

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 9

STEP 10

Feed wire through bead and position bead as shown.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 10

New to wire-wrapping?

Check out Wire-Wrapping for Beginners

RELATED CONTENT

  • Wire-Wrapping Tutorial DIY Jewelry Kits on Etsy
  • How to Make an Wrapped Eye Pin – Wire Loop
  • Wire-Wrapping Tools & Supplies for Beginners
  • Jewelry Making Classes on Creativebug (Plus So Much More!)
  • Wire-Wrapping Tutorials: 13 DIY Wire-Wrapped Pendants

STEP 11

Secure bead and coil together with your fingers so they remain aligned. Gently bend wire at base of bead as tightly as possible.

This part requires a little practice.

If you find the coiled part gets “bent out of shape”, just bend back in shape.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 11

STEP 12

Gently bend the wire up, along the side of the bead. Keep wrapping over top of bead.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 12

STEP 13

Send wire to back, around the coil.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 13
Wire Wrapping Planner

STEP 14

Wrap wire around coil.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 14

STEP 15

Shape wire around side of bead.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 15

STEP 16

Keep shaping the wire along the bead. Make sure you are wrapping the wire in front of the other wire.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 16

New to wire-wrapping?

Check out Wire-Wrapping for Beginners

RELATED CONTENT

  • Wire-Wrapping Tutorial DIY Jewelry Kits on Etsy
  • How to Make an Wrapped Eye Pin – Wire Loop
  • Wire-Wrapping Tools & Supplies for Beginners
  • How to Make Jump Rings
  • Wire-Wrapping Tutorials: 13 DIY Wire-Wrapped Pendants

STEP 17

Wrap wire around the coil.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 17

STEP 18

Bring coil to front and start wrapping around the side again…on the backside of the existing wire.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 18

STEP 19

Keep wrapping…

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 19

STEP 20

Pull wire over top of coil.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 20

STEP 21

Send wire around back of coil.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 21

New to wire-wrapping?

Check out Wire-Wrapping for Beginners

RELATED CONTENT

  • Wire-Wrapping Tutorial DIY Jewelry Kits on Etsy
  • How to Make an Wrapped Eye Pin – Wire Loop
  • Wire-Wrapping Tools & Supplies for Beginners

STEP 22

Wrap wire again around front over coil.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 22

STEP 23

Send wire to back one last time.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 23

STEP 24

Using your wire cutters, cut wire right at base.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 24

STEP 25

Using your needle nose pliers, tuck away the end so it’s not sticking out.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 25

STEP 26

Voila!

At this point your pendant is complete!

You can attach it to a cord or chain with a jump ring.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant
Step 26

In my case, I used bare copper wire so I finished the piece by giving it an “antique” look with liver of sulfur.

How to wire wrap a bead pendant

If you’re a newbie, check out Wire-Wrapping for Beginners for lots of resources.

If you’d like to see my work and follow my wire journey, you can find me here:

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P.S. – Keep your wire-wrapping projects organized with my Wire-Wrapping Planner

Filed Under: Tutorials/DIY Tagged With: beginner

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My name is Chantal and I’m the owner of Studio 73 Designs.

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