Lesson 4: Wire
In this lesson we'll go over various methods for incorporating wire into bead making. We'll start with a discussion of how to use wire to modify existing beads, and end with a discussion of how to use wire to create beads from scratch.
Recommended Reading: Making Beautiful Beads pg. 84-6.
Modified Beads
What are Modified Beads?
For the purpose of this lesson, we'll use the term "modified beads" to refer to any beads that has been embellished with wire.
Getting Started
The flexible nature of wire makes it the perfect material for creating custom pieces of jewelry. A quick twist here and a slight turn there, and suddenly that piece of wire has been transformed into a beautiful bead or piece of jewelry.
No question about it, wire is a rewarding material to work with, but it's also a material that takes a little time to get used to.
Before you can create elaborate designs, you've got to learn the basics—how to work the wire, proper bending techniques, which tool to use for which job—the list goes on.
And that's where modified beads come in. As you experiment with ways to modify existing beads, you will learn how to make wire work for you, and pick up the skills that are needed to create beads made solely of wire.
Examples of Modified Beads
To fully understand what a modified bead is, you've got to see a sample. The Jazzy Wire-Wrapped Beads shown on HGTV's website offer the perfect example.
To create this particular modified bead, the designer simply used pliers to bend a section of wire around an existing store-bought bead. It's a simple process, and yet the results are dramatic.
If you will look closely at the picture, you will see that the designer created a loop on either side of the wire-wrapped bead. This loop serves as a jump ring to connect one bead to the next. By incorporating jump rings into the design, the designer has made a conscious decision to eliminate the need for the beads to be strung.
In the example shown here, I simply cut a small segment of wire, and ran it through the holes of the bead. I then wrapped each end of the wire around a pencil to create a loop. In doing so, I created jump rings to join the segments of the bracelet together, much as the designer did in the previous example.
I chose to make enough segments for a bracelet; however, the same technique could be used to create a necklace.
As you can see from the picture, a very simple wire bending technique truly transformed the look of the beads. What started out as a handful of inexpensive, plastic beads is now a dramatic, custom design.
The Right Tools for the Job
Before you get started on your own wire beads, you'll need to pick up a few tools and supplies.
First on the list is a pair of pliers. Since each type of pliers is suited to a different purpose, I would recommend purchasing a set of jeweler's pliers from your local craft store. This will provide you with a good, basic set of tools to work with.
The only other item that you will really need is the wire. Your local craft store will have this as well.
Since wire is available in a variety of metal types, colors and gauges, you'll have to decide what works best for your needs.
As you are starting out, I would recommend working with a heavier gauge wire since it is easier to bend and manipulate.
Note: The higher the gauge number the thinner and softer the metal.
