Wire Bead Necklace

Twist and shout - or twist and wear it on your neck.

I've been trying to think of an easy tutorial for jewelry; one that doesn't involve soldering or using a jewelry saw. Wire fills the bill. I like the texture of these beads and find them fun to make.

Materials:

spool of 20 gauge beading wire (available at Michael's)

neck wire

bead

Tools:

The Coiling Gizmo (available here and probably most bead stores)

small needle nose pliers

wire cutters (or strong scissors)

ruler

file (optional)

Attach the base of the Coiling Gizmo to heavy piece of wood with screw (included in kit). You can also clamp it to your workbench. The Gizmo comes with two winders; one larger than the other. Loop the end of the beading wire around the bent arm of the smallest diameter winder, insert into base and begin to wind along the long straight part of the coiler. Make a 3" spring.

Remove it from the Gizmo. Cut the ends flush to the spring. You may have to tuck the ends into the spring slightly or file them. No sharp ends allowed.
Thread the wire through the spring and attach the end to bigger winder as before. Begin winding. Remove the bead from Gizmo, cut off ends, leaving 1/4" on each end. Tuck them into the bead with the small needle nose pliers. Test for sharp edges and file if necessary.

Make another identical wire bead and thread them, along with a focal bead on a neck wire. You should have a gorgeous and original necklace.

Tips:

Try different sizes and types of wire. I made some fun beads with 18 gauge aluminum wire from Home Depot.

You might enjoy using sterling or nickel silver wire. If your bead store doesn't carry silver wire there are numerous online sources.

It takes approximately 2 yards of 20 gauge wire to make one bead this size.