Studio 73 Designs

Wire Jewelry Making & Wire Wrapping Techniques

Wire-Wrapping Stones Without Holes [FREE Tutorial]

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When I first started making wire jewelry, I couldn’t wait to learn how to wire-wrap stones without holes.

It all seemed so mysterious to me and I couldn’t wait to try it once I had learned some basic wire wrapping techniques.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to wire wrap a cabochon.

This design is very basic and it can be used as a base for other designs when making wire-wrapped pendants.

What is a Cabochon?

A cabochon is a gemstone (or other material such as resin) which has been shaped and polished. They have a smooth rounded top and a flat back. Cabochons are EXTREMELY POPULAR in wire-wrapping (see photo below).

WARNING: This blog post is very long with over 70 photos so I definitely recommend grabbing the printable version (FREE BONUSES).

Print at home and store in a binder for easy reference.

How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
Labradorite Cabochon – See all my favorites on Etsy!

LEVEL: ADVANCED BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE

WIRE-WRAPPING STONES WITHOUT HOLES

MATERIALS + TOOLS

How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners

Prefer this wire-wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of “How to Wire-Wrap Stones Without Holes”

Step 1

Using your 6″ piece of 26 gauge wire, start wrapping in the middle of one of the base wires (20 gauge). (fig. 1)

How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig.1

Step 2

Stack your base wires together and start wrapping around all wires. At this point, you can use any wire weaving pattern that is suitable for 3 base wires.

For the purpose of this wire-wrapping tutorial, I’m keeping it simple.

Wrap around base wires about 14-15 times (approx. 1/4″) and finish off by wrapping around top base wire. (fig. 2a, 2b)

How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 2a
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 2b

Step 3

Trim off excess wire on both ends and tuck ends in using a pair of needle nose pliers. (fig. 3a, 3b)

How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 3a
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 3b

Prefer this wire-wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of “How to Wire-Wrap Stones Without Holes”

Step 4

Using your fingers, start bending the wire (fig. 4a).

Place cabochon along the inside of the bend in the wire and make sure that it fits snuggly against the wire (fig. 4b, 4c).

Start forming the base wires around the cabochon as shown (fig. 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g).

Remove cabochon from frame – make sure that base wires are straight and not crossed over one another (fig. 4h, 4i).

How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 4a
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 4b
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 4c
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 4d
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 4e
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 4f
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 4g
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 4h
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 4i

Step 5

Using your 14″ piece of your 26 gauge wire, start wrapping around all base wires (fig. 5a, 5b). Make 5-6 wraps (fig. 5c).

How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 5a
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 5b
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 5c

Prefer this wire-wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of “How to Wire-Wrap Stones Without Holes”

Step 6

Bring end of wire around top 3 base wires and bring through frame (fig. 6a). Using wire cutters, trim off excess wire and tuck end in with needle nose pliers (fig. 6b, 6c).

How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 6a
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 6b
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
fig. 6c

KEEP READING…

Page 1 (Materials, Steps 1-6)
Page 2 (Steps 7-9)
Page 3 (Steps 10-11)
Page 4 (Steps 12-14)
Page 5 (Steps 15-17)
Page 6 (Steps 18-20)

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