Over 3 days I have a special 3 Part Series to help you get started with Wire Wrapped Jewelry.
Part 1 is all about where to get wire, which is one of my most asked questions.
Part 2 (this post) we’ll talk about the tools you need to get started.
And Part 3 will be a tutorial and we’ll actually use wire and make a pair of earrings.
After you go through the series, I would highly suggest that you sign up for my free Quick Start Guide to Wire Wrapped Jewelry or invest in Wire Wrapping for Beginners eCourse if you’re ready to really dig in and learn how to make lots of components and then put them together to make wire wrapped jewelry, along with lots of inspiration for designing your own unique pieces to express your creativity and personal style.
To get started wire wrapping, you need 3 basic tools.
(a fourth tool will be pretty helpful, too.)
Wire Cutters
You can actually get started with a basic pair that you may already have around; however, you’ll quickly want to get a better pair.
How to use wire cutters:
You use wire cutters to make 2 different types of cuts: a flush cut and a pinch cut. Depending what side of the cutters you use is the kind of cut you’ll make.
The flat side will make a flush cut. In all of the tutorials I share you want to start with making sure each side has a flush cut.
That’s what the flush cut looks like. It’s cut straight.
When you use the other side you make a pinch cut.
(And actually, every time you cut wire off to use, one piece will have a flush cut and one will have a pinch cut.)
That’s what a pinch cut looks like.
Round Nose Pliers:
Round nose pliers are used for making loops and bends with wire and only for that.
One thing that I use round nose pliers for is to begin spirals.
Round nose pliers are also use to make loops. Here I’m starting a wire wrapped loop to make a bead dangle. There is a wire wrapped loop on one end and a spiral on the other end.
You can learn how to make both in Wire Wrapping for Beginners eCourse.
Chain Nose Pliers:
Chain nose pliers are basically used for everything. It’s like an extension of your hands when you’re wire wrapping.
You’ll want to have a second pair of chain nose pliers, or I actually suggest that you get bent nose pliers in addition to chain nose pliers.
For jewelry making, make sure the pliers are smooth and do not have teeth on the inside.
How to use chain nose pliers:
Use chain nose pliers to hold wire, wrap wire and bend and twist wire.
Hold a loop wire wrapping it.
While holding the loop with one pair of pliers, wrap the wire around with another pair of pliers. I’m holding the loop with bent nose pliers. I’ll usually either hold the loop with the bent nose or actually do the wrapping with the bent nose while holding the loop with chain nose.
Here I’m making a spiral. Once you make the original loop, you use chain nose pliers to continue the spiral.
You’ll use chain nose pliers for everything you make when wire wrapping.
Action Steps:
#1 It’s time to get some tools! Do you have any tools that you can use?
If not, you can get a starter set at a great deal at a jewelry supply store or craft store. Look for coupons and you’ll get an even better deal.
Get the best quality you can for the budget you have. You can upgrade to better tools as you learn. Plus you’ll know what tools you use the most and want to upgrade if you wait until you’ve been making jewelry for a while to upgrade.
#2 If you want to dig deeper into a solid introduction for making wire wrapped jewelry, I suggest that you sign up for my free 10 day Quick Start Guide for Wire Wrapped Jewelry.
#3 Wire Wrapping for Beginners eCourse is a great place to learn how to make many components and learn how to put them together to make beautiful jewelry. I also show you ways to customize the jewelry pieces to express your creativity and your own personal style.