Free Tut!!!!

This design and was originally published in the Feb/Mar 2010 issue of Step By Step Wire. The tutorial was created by me and may be used for your personal use. I respectfully request that you not copy or share it, but feel free to direct others to this link. Thank you!

Brangle = Alternative Bracelet for the Artsy Chica

By: Eva Marie Sherman

Supply List: (beads and wire should be color coordinated)

                        (1) coil memory wire 1” larger than wrist size

                        (18) 8 to 10 mm base beads

                        (36) 4 mm accent beads

                        (72) 3 mm accent beads

                        (1) spool 22 ga artistic wire

                        (2) spools 24 ga. artistic wire (different colors)

                        (2) 6 mm spring rings

                        (1) 3” 18 ga artistic wire

 Tools:

                        Memory wire cutter

                        Wire cutter

                        Round nose pliers

                        Coiling gizmo

                        Clamp (for gizmo)

Steel block

                        Hammer

 

1.  Use a memory wire cutter to cut a coil of memory wire 1” larger than wrist size.  Make a ¼” loop at one end.

      

2. String the large base beads onto the memory wire and make a ¼” loop at the other end.

 

 

3. Using a coiling gizmo make a coil using both colors of 26 ga. wire. When creating the coil take care to keep both strands of wire parallel.             

4. Feed the 6” coil on to the 22 ga. wire.  Don’t cut the 22 ga wire. 

4. Wrap the free end of 22 ga wire between the 2^nd and 3^rd bead to anchor the coil.  Wrap the coil around every other bead and anchor the 22 ga wire between the last two beads at the opposite end. Cut the excess wire.

 

5. Cut 3 ft. of 22 ga. wire. Wrap one end of the 22 ga wire between the 1^st and 2^nd bead to anchor it. String a comfortable amount of the 4 mm accent beads and begin winding the wire and beads around the base beads. The beads should be placed randomly. Add more beads as needed. Continue to wind wire and beads back and forth until all beads and wire are used. Anchor the end of the wire in the nearest space.

7. Repeat Step 5 using the 3 mm accent beads. Use more wire as required.
   
                           
8. Make a final pass using only wire. Stop when you are happy with the result. This design is meant to be unstructured, random and free form.

8. Attach a spring ring to each end of the memory wire loop. Make an S hook with the 18 ga wire and hammer it on the block to strengthen it.  Attach the clasp to the spring ring.
   
    
   Enjoy!
     

FREE Caged Bead Bracelet Tutorial

Looking for an easy wire wrapping technique that can be used to dress up almost any kind of bead? This caged bead wire wrap pattern works particularly well on larger round beads like the gorgeous ones used here. This design may also be adapted to create a necklace by increasing the number of beads.

This tutorial was created by me and may be used for your personal use. I respectfully request that you not copy it, but feel free to direct others to this link. Thank you!

Materials:

• (8-10) 10mm beads
• (12') 18 gauge copper wire
• (2") of 16 gauge copper wire
• (1) 4mm copper jump ring
• Wire cutters
• Round nose pliers
• Chain nose pliers
• Hammer
• Steel block 

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 gently wrap 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. Repeat the spiral wire wrap at the opposite end of the bead.



3. Bend leftover wire towards the opposite pole with a gentle curve and loop it around the wire wrapped loop. Trim excess wire.


4. 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.


5. At the opposite end of the second bead, start the wire wrapped loop as shown.


6. 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.


7. For the dangle bead begin by making a spiral as shown. It should be about the same size as the other bead caps.


8. 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.

9. 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 wrist.

Bead Soup Bangle

Speaking of bead soup projects, here's a free tutorial I wrote for Consumer Crafts a while back, and it is also currently up at favecrafts....enjoy!






Materials: 

• Bead Soup * (this one has tiger eye chips, pearls, copper beads, and blue seed beads)
• (1) roll 24 ga. copper wire
• Pre-made Cuff
• Wire cutters

Instructions:

1. Make a *bead soup by mixing miscellaneous beads ranging in size from 2 – 6 mm in colors that coordinate with copper wire.
    
2. Wrap the entire cuff with 24 ga copper wire.
    
3. Cut approx 2'  of 24 ga copper wire and anchor one end of the wire near the center of the cuff by wrapping it around the cuff a few times.
    
4. String beads randomly, a few inches at a time and begin wrapping back and forth in a random pattern on the cuff. Take care not to let the wire pull the top and bottom of the cuff together.
    
5. Keep wrapping and adding beads as desired. Add more wire when required. Stop when you are happy with the result. Enjoy!