Wire-Wrapped Princess Tiara

Instructions

1. Begin by laying out your crown design on the thing-a-ma-jig. You will create this pattern by wrapping loops of wire around various sized loops and mandrels provided in the jig kit. Take a few moments to practice your wrapped design with a piece of string if you are new to wire wrapping.

2. Cut a 2m (6 foot) piece of 12-gauge aluminum or 14-gauge tinned copper wire. At the center point of the wire, begin the topmost point of your crown's design. Wrap the wire along the pins and mandrels, creating your crown's pattern. Once wrapped, use the side of a pair of bent nose pliers to press all loops lose to the jig surface and flatten your design as much as possible.

3. Remove the center of the crown from the jig. Optionally, reset the pins to create a spiral or loop design along the sides of the crown. Repeat as necessary.

4. Measure the fully-wrapped design. Adult sized crowns should be approximately 24 inches round and child sizes between 20-22 inches, though this measurement can be custom fit to any size! Add a length of TWO INCHES to the final crown size, and cut away excess wire. Be sure the crown is centered along the wire.

5. Form the trimmed wire into a round shape, overlapping the two ending points by two inches. Cut 18 inches of 24 gauge silver plated copper wire, and wrap it over the overlapping wires, covering them. This will secure the backside of the design. (Alternately, crimp wire connectors can be used in this step, simply trim the wire from to the finished size, and crimp the ends together.)

6. Cut 6-8 inch segments of 24 gauge wire, and on the front of the tiara, wrap intersecting wires with 5-6 loops to stabilize the design. Trim excess wire away.

7. To add a bead (or beads), wrap the top loop of the location with 5-6 wraps of wire. String the bead on, and fit it into place. Secure the bottom with 5-6 wraps of wire. Trim excess wire away.

8. File any sharp edges of wire before allowing children to wear or play with the crown, and watch them enjoy playing royalty!

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