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Wire-Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners: Simple Bead Pendant

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March 11, 2023 by Madelynn

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 part of my “Beginner Series” of simple wire wrapping techniques.

It’s 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!

wire wrap jewelry

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Prefer this tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of “Simple Bead Pendant” tutorial

 
 
 

LEVEL: BEGINNER

MATERIALS + TOOLS

  • 8″ – 16 gauge wire (dead soft)
  • 4″ – 22 gauge wire
  • 1 Gemstone Bead of your choice (10 mm)
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Wire Cutters
  • 6-Step Barrel Pliers
  • Heavy duty cutters
  • Anvil or bench block
  • Hammer
  • Liver of sulfur (optional)
 
 

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
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 1b
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 1c
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 1d
 

Prefer this tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of “Simple Bead Pendant” tutorial

 

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  • Beginner’s Guide to Jewelry Wire for Wire-Wrapping
 

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).

Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 2a
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 2b
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
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).

Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 3a
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 3b
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 3c
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 3d
 

Prefer this tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of “Simple Bead Pendant” tutorial

 
 

Step 4

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

Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 4a
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
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).

Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 5a
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 5b
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 5c
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 5d
 

Step 6

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

Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 6a
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 6b
 

Prefer this tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of “Simple Bead Pendant” tutorial

 

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).

Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 7a
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 7b
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 7c
 
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 7d
 

Step 8

Place the front of the bail on your anvil or bench as shown (fig. 8a). Gently hammer until desired effect is achieved (fig. 8b, 8c).

Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 8a
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 8b
Wire Wrapping Tutorial for Beginners Bead Pendant
fig. 8c
 

That’s it! You’re all done!

At this point, I use liver of sulfur as patina – this gives an antiqued look to my copper wire 🙂

Finished Pendant (after liver of sulfur)
 

Prefer this tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of this blog post

 

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

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Filed Under: Tutorials/DIY Tagged With: bead pendant, diy jewelry, wire-wrapped pendant, wire-wrapping for beginners, wire-wrapping tutorial

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  1. Wire-Wrapping for Beginners - UPDATED: April 2022 | Studio 73 Designs says:
    May 29, 2022 at 10:41 am

    […] How to Wire-Wrap Beads – a Simple Bead Pendant […]

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