Published by DIY Beading Club

TWISTED WIRE WIRE & JEWELRY MAKING TUTORIAL SERIES T97

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Copyrights DIY Beading Club 2013 Published By DIY Beading Club

INTRODUCTION

Learn how to give a twisted look to your wire jewelry! The ‘Twisted’ Pendant is a very versatile design. You can come up with your own design by altering the technique. You can alter the size of the pendant, add more beads or position the spirals differently to come up with your own unique design. The technique taught here is using very minimal tools and materials to create a wonderful piece of wire jewelry.

The tutorial is catered for intermediate to advance students or anyone who loves to learn this wirework technique. It has in-depth instructions and ultra-clear, close-up photos at each step. Additionally, you can ask me question you have on the tutorial. No more getting stuck and frustrated on a confusing or just plain inaccurate pattern.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS NEEDED:

Materials Needed 21 gauge (0.7mm) copper wires 28 gauge (0.3mm) copper wires 1 big oval shaped Turquoise Bead with height 3.5cm (1.4inch) and width 2.5cm (1 inch)

Tools Needed Round nose pliers Flat nose pliers Wire cutter Ruler STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Cut approximately 100cm long of 28 gauge wire. Fold it to half as shown in the picture.

Use your fingers of your left hand and hold the tip of the wire where it is folded. Holding your vice with your right hand, cross both wire. Begin to manually twist the wire by pulling the wire at the bottom to the top of the other wire and pull the wire at the top to the bottom of the other wire. Continue to twist. You notice, you can simply twist the wires with first 3 fingers by rolling the wire clock wise.

Tips: After a few twists, the wire at the other end will also be twisted. So you need to always untwist them before you continue. Keep the twisting as consistent as you can. Count them per the two inches you are working with. The more you twist, the tighter the look.

After you have the desired 'look' for 2 inches, Move your left hand to the intersection of the previously twisted wire section and the section to be twisted. Begin the manual twisting process again.

Continue to twist until the end of the wire. Step 2: Cut approximately 11cm of 21 gauge wire.

Make 2 loops at the end of the wire using a round mandrel with diameter approximately 0.8cm. Remove the wire from the mandrel.

Step 3: String in the Turquoise bead into the 21 gauge wire.

At the other end of the 21 gauge wire, make a 90 degree bend at approximately 0.8cm from the end. Make a loop.

You notice there are some space in between the loops and the bead when you place the bead at the middle of the 21 gauge wire. This space will be used to attached the twisted wire later on.

Step 4: Let’s start with the end with 2 loops. Wraparound the centre of the twisted wire to the space below the 2 loops. Step 5: Now pull two sides of the wire to one side of the bead and start twisting them as shown in picture.

While you twist, curl the twisted wire along the side of the oval bead. Step 6: When you reach the other loop, pass the 2 wires at each side of loop. Step 7: Cross the twisted wire and start the twisting again.

Continue to twist the wire until the length is sufficient to go along the side of the oval bead. Step 8: When you reach other end of the loop (back to the one with 2 loops), cross two sides of the wire at the 21 gauge wire. As I am going to create a smaller inner circle, I cross the two sides of the twisted wire below the first twisted wire where I started earlier.

Start the manual twisting again to begin the second circle. As the second circle is smaller than the first circle, you should pull the twisted wire slightly more inside.

Continue to twist till you reach the other loop.

Step 9: Repeat the process to twist the inner circle for the other side of the bead. Step 10: Once the second circle is completed, cross both side of the wire against the 21 gauge wire below the loop. Place the twisted wire at both side of the bead. Step 11: Now, we are ready to make loops alongside the oval bead.

Place your round nose pliers at the twisted wire on your left approximately 0.6cm from the loop. Make a loop by pulling the twisted wire upward and then downward.

Tips: To make consistent size for the loop, you should mark your round nose pliers based on the first loop with your marker pen. Always use the same spot to make subsequent loops. To make the second loop, place the round nose pliers 0.6cm from the centre of the first loop and make the loop by repeating step above. Step 12: Continue to make the subsequent loops enough for you to go around the side of the oval bead. When you reach the other end of the loop, wrap around the twisted wire against the 21gauge wire.

Step 13: Now go back to the other side of the bead. Make loops enough to cover the right side of the oval bead.

Place the loops nicely and wrap the twisted wire against the 21 gauge wire below the loop. Step 14: Now turn to the back of the pendant. Use the remaining twisted wire to make another smaller circle at the back so that the pendant can be caught in between the twisted wire. Once this is done, attach the twisted wire securely at the 21 gauge loop. Step 15: You will still have some remaining twisted wires, you can freely form spirals and decorate your pendant.

Depending on your design, you might like to have a smaller spiral and hence you need to shorten the twisted wire by cutting off 1 or 2 inches of the twisted wires.

To make a spiral, place your round nose pliers at the tip. Form a loop with the pliers.

Continue to make spirals using your flat nose pliers. Step 16: Place the spirals at your preferred location. This is an example how the spiral can look like.

Step 17: Continue to make spiral for the other side of the twisted wire. As I would like to place the second spiral below the first spiral, I made spiral using two third of the twisted wires and the remaining twisted wire is brought to the back of the pendant.

Now, let’s slip in the spirals through the first and second circles and place it under the first spiral at the front view of the pendant.

Cut away unwanted wire. Adjust the loops and spirals to suit your preference. Step 18: Congratulation! You are done. You can create many different version of designs based on this technique. Here is one for you. I hope you have enjoyed the tutorial

CONTACT US

I hope you have enjoyed making the jewelry. If you have any query or feedback for the tutorial, please contact us at [email protected].

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Started as a hobby, I have then addicted into sharing my knowledge through tutorial writing. I publish my knowledge and research through my websites. I also work with other jewelry artists to develop tutorials and publish their works. I hope you will browse through all our creations and hope you will like them.

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