Caged Wire-Wrapped Beads Bracelet

Looking for an easy wire wrapping technique that can be used to dress up almost any kind of bead? This Caged Wire-Wrapped Beads Bracelet wrap pattern works particularly well on larger round beads like the gorgeous ones used here. This wonderful project was designed by Eva Sherman for Consumer Crafts.

Materials:

• 10mm Multi-metallic spectra glass beads 1980-74
• 1 Roll of 18 gauge copper wire 1999-1566
• 2 Inches of 16 gauge copper wire 1999-1554
• 4mm Copper jump ring 1880-99CP
• Wire cutters 1893-05
• Round nose pliers 1995-11
• Chain nose pliers 1995-10
• Hammer (from hardware store)
• Steel Block (from hardware store)

Instructions:

1. Cut 14” of 18 gauge copper wire. Using your round nose pliers, make a small wire wrapped loop at the center. String bead on vertical wire and make another small wire wrapped loop at the other end.
   
2. Holding the top loop with your chain nose pliers, begin to gentlywrap the wire over the top of the bead in a spiral pattern. Make approximately 5 to 6 wraps. Be careful to apply even tension and pressure and you will form a bead cap.
    
3. Repeat the spiral wire wrap at the opposite end of the bead.
   
4. Bend leftover wire towards the opposite pole with a gentle curve and loop it around the wire wrapped loop. Trim excess wire.
   
5. Create another loop at the other end of the bead in the same way. Repeat the previous steps through the first loop only with your second bead.
   
6. At the opposite end of the second bead, start the wire wrapped loop as shown.
   
7. Before closing the wire loop, slip the first bead on, then continue with making the wire wrapped loop and the bead cap. Repeat these steps until you have enough beads to go around your wrist, less 1/2 inch.
   
8. For the dangle bead begin by making a spiral as shown. It should be about the same size as the other bead caps.
   
9. Instead of a spiral wrap on the other end, create a loop: Bend leftover wire towards the opposite pole with a gentle curve and loop it around the wire wrapped loop. Spiral wrap back to bottom again. Trim excess wire. Connect the dangle bead to the last bead with the jump ring.
   
10. Make an “S” hook using the 16 gauge copper wire. Hammer it on the steel block to harden. Attach it to the last bead as shown. Hook the “S” hook in the jump ring to close. The dangle bead will keep the bracelet evenly weighted so it does not spin on your wrist.
    
     

 Find this and other projects like it in our "Jewelry For You" free eBook from Consumer Crafts and Crafts Unleashed!