slide show of CC Design's Jewelry

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Tutorial- Wire Wrapping Cord Ends

In this new tutorial, I will be demonstrating how to wire wrap cord ends. The technique is used to wire wrap a coil to end a necklace using different types of cords such as leather, ribbon or satin.

The tools needed are cutting pliers, round nose pliers, needle nose pliers, and duck nose pliers.

You will also need about 12" of wire. I'm using 24 gauge in this tutorial. It's easy to work, and you could use 22 gauge wire also, if you want a little heavier wire. You will also need a clasp, or you could make a hook clasp.

The first step take your wire and make a loop using your round nose pliers about 1" from the end.

Step 2- take your cord that you will be using for your necklace and slide the
about 1/2" of the cord end through the loop. Position the wire so that the short piece of the wire lays straight along the cord. You will see in my picture that the short piece of wire in laying under the loop. So when you wrap the long piece it is held in place.

Step 3 Use your duck bill pliers to hold the end with the cord end and using your needle nose pliers to wrap the wire around your cord.

Here is how the cord and wire look after a couple of wraps.

Continue wrapping the wire and pushing the wire against the other wire to keep them tight. It's easier to push the wire when you use this gauge wire. After you have 6 wraps cut you short piece of wire off and continue to wrap until you have around 10 wraps. Then cut off your wire, and smooth the edge against your cord.

Next you are ready to wire wrap the other cord with with the clasp. You will need to take your wire and wrap a loop about 1" from the end just like the first cord and put your clasp in the loop.

The next step is the same as before when you add your cord, slide the cord end through the loop making sure the short piece of wire is under the loop. And wrap the long end of the wire around your cord. Make sure you keep your wire snug against your wire while wrapping, by pushing the wire as you wrap.

Wrap your coil the same amount of wraps in the first so the cord ends will match.

When finished, cut your cord end of near the top of loop. You can burn the ends or cut them wire scissors.


Orion Designs said...

Great tut - thanks for sharing Cori!


Artisan Beaded & Wire Wrapped Jewelry said...

Fab! thanks for sharing Cori!

Brenda said...

Cori, I'm so glad you did the tut for this. Really helps me a lot! Thank you soooo much! :)