Wire and loopsFrom the pages of BeadStyle magazine, step-by-step references to techniques used in bead-stringing projects: flexible beading wire, loops, and wraps. Cutting flexible beading wire
Determine the finished length of your necklace. Add 6 in. (15 cm) and cut a piece of beading wire to that length. For a bracelet, add 5 in. (13 cm). |
Plain loop
8. Bend the wire or head pin to form a right angle 3/8 in. (1cm) from the tip. |
| 9. Grab the wire's tip with roundnose pliers. Turn your hand to roll the wire into a half circle. Release the wire. |
| 10. Grab the wire again and continue rolling until you have completed a circle centered over the wire stem. |
Wrapped loop
12. To make the first half of a wrapped loop, bend the wire or head pin to form a right angle 1.25 in. (3 cm) from the tip. |
| 13. Hold your roundnose pliers so the jaws line up vertically and grab the short wire at the bend. |
| 14. With your fingers or with chainnose pliers, bring the short wire over the top of the roundnose pliers. |
| Reposition the pliers so the lower jaw is in the curve. Keep the jaws vertical. |
| 16. Bring the short wire under the bottom of the roundnose pliers. |
| 17. To complete the wrapped loop, hold the roundnose pliers in your nondominant hand. Position the jaws across, not through, the loop. |
| 18. Use your fingers or chainnose pliers to wrap the short wire around the wire stem. Make one or more wraps. Trim the excess wire and press the cut end close to the wraps with chainnose pliers. |
Making a set of wraps above a top-drilled bead
29. Center a top-drilled bead on a 3-in. (7.5 cm) piece of wire. Bend each wire upward to form a squared-off "U" shape. |
| 30. Cross the wires into an "X" above the bead. |
| 31. Using chainnose pliers, make a small bend in each wire so the ends form a right angle. |
| 32. Wrap the horizontal wire around the vertical wire as in a wrapped loop (above). Trim the excess wire. |
Opening a jump ring or a loop
19. Hold the jump ring or loop with two pairs of chainnose pliers or chainnose and roundnose pliers, as shown. |
| 20. To open the jump ring or loop, bring one pair of pliers toward you and push the other away. |
| 21. The open jump ring. Reverse these steps to close the ring. |
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