Wire-Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners: Simple Bead Pendant

This step-by-step wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners will teach you how to wire-wrap a bead pendant using 16 gauge wire. This tutorial is a great introduction to working with thicker wire and you can use any gemstone bead you have on hand.

This wire-wrapped bead pendant is simple and elegant – a perfect tutorial for beginners!

See the PRINTABLE PDF format of this blog post + Bonus material

Are you interested in wire-wrapping?

LEVEL: BEGINNER

MATERIALS + TOOLS

HOW TO WIRE-WRAP A BEAD PENDANT

STEP 1

Gather your materials (fig. 1a). Using your 6-step barrel pliers, start shaping the bail as shown (fig. 1b, 1c, 1d).

Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant — fig. 1a

Prefer this tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of this blog post

RELATED CONTENT

Step 2

Secure the bail with your pliers (fig. 2a). Using your fingers, fold the wire over (fig. 2b). Snip and tuck wire in (fig. 2c).

Step 3

Using the biggest barrel on your pliers, leave a little space (fig. 3a) and start shaping the wire (fig. 3b, 3c, 3d).

Step 4

Using your 22 gauge wire, feed through gemstone bead (fig. 4a) and place over pendant as shown (fig. 4b).

Step 5

Wrap the wire 3 times around one side, then the other side. Snip excess wire and tuck in the ends (fig. 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d).

Step 6

Using your fingers, shape the wire around the bead as shown (fig. 6a, 6b).

Step 7

Secure the bail with your pliers (fig. 7a). Flip wire over the back of your pendant (fig. 7b). Cut excess wire and tuck away in the back (fig. 7c). This is the front of the pendant (fig. 7d).