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Wire Wrapping for Beginners
16
items My favorite tools, supplies and resources to get started making simple wire wrapped jewelry.
Sections
3
Tools
Supplies
Resources
Tools
Basic tools you need to get started making wire wrapped jewelry.
Chain nose pliers are one of the essentials for beginning to make wire wrapped jewelry. I like the Beadalon brand, but you could start with a less expensive pair.
Beadalon® Designer Series Chain Nose Pliers
Wire cutters are essential for wire wrapping. I prefer diagonal cutters or they are sometimes (in this case) called semi-flush cutters. I like the Beadalon brand.
Beadalon® Semi-Flush Cutter
Round nose pliers are essential for making loops in wire wrapping. I like the Beadalon brand.
Beadalon® Designer Series Round Nose Pliers
If you are making wire wrapped rings, you'll need a ring mandrel. It's best to have a steel one like this one. (Secret hint, I used a plastic ring sizer for years to make rings before I got a steel mandrel. You'll find that on this list as well.)
Steel Ring Mandrel
This item isn't essential for MAKING jewelry, but it is used to find out the size of rings. However, I used this tool to make wire wrapped rings for years before I got a steel ring mandrel. (The steel one isn't that much more now.)
Nylon Ring Sizing Stick
This is a nice ruler to use, but you can use any ruler you have.
Westcott® 18" Stainless Steel Ruler - Michaels
NOTE: Do not use these in your normal jewelry making. They have teeth and will ruin your wire. However, I do use these when making wire wrapped rings because they grip well to pull the wire tightly and you can cut that part off.
5" Serrated Needle Nose Pliers with Cutter
You don't see this in wire wrapping usually, but I use it for closing tiny bends in wire when I make headpins and start closed spirals. It's realy for closing crimp beads when you're stringing beads.
Crimping Pliers - CousinDIY Precision Comfort Bead
Jewelry making files are essential when you're making earring wires and you'll find other uses as well.
Jewelry File Set - Needle, Dip Handle, 3mm X 140mm, 6 Pc - 734NF
Wire rounder/Burr Tool for rounding the ends of wire. Useful for when you're making earring wires. (You could alternatively use a jewelry file.)
Wire End Rounder Cup and Bur Jewelry Making Tool - Michaels
I have a tip for making uniform loops that uses this sharpie.
Sharpie® Black Ultra Fine Point Marker | Michaels
Supplies
My favorite supplies to get started with wire wrapped jewelry.
Absolutely my favorite wire to use. It's silver plated copper and non tarnish. I use 20 gauge the most.
20-Gauge Silver-Plated Copper Wire 6yd Parawire
Although I use 20 gauge wire the most, I also use other gauges such as 22 gauge.
22-Gauge 8-Yards Silver-Plated Copper Wire
My favorite wire in 24-gauge. I use 20 gauge most often, but sometimes your beads have tiny holes and you need a thinner wire. (the bigger the number, the thinner the wire.)
24-Gauge 10-Yards Silver-Plated Copper Wire
My favorite wire in 18 gauge when you need a little thicker wire.
18-Gauge 4-Yard Silver-Plated Copper Wire
Resources
Resources to help you learn how to get started making simple wire wrapped jewelry.
Little tips and tricks to improve your wire wrapped jewelry making. (From my own blog)
Jewelry Making Quick Tips Galore! — Kimberlie Kohler