How To Make Jewelry: Make A Handmade Wire Wrapped Stone Pendant When making handmade wire wrapped jewelry, one very valuable skill to have is knowing how to wire wrap a stone with funky designs. I've sold many of my wire wrapped pendant necklaces at craft fairs and have gotten many compliments on them whenever I wear one of my own creations. When wire wrapping a stone pendant, the idea is to enhance the stone's natural beauty and not obscure it. The design of the wrap and the stone's appearance should complement one another and not clash. Once you learn to achieve this balance, you too can make some beautiful, eye-catching artisan jewelry! This particular wire wrapped jewelry pattern is a little more advanced than my other projects on HubPages (bracelet, earrings, coil ring, all of which are linked in my sidebar). As always, I recommend using copper wire to start with because it's inexpensive. And as always, be sure to supervise any kids who are working on this -- and to NOT let very small children participate as there are some sharp tools involved. Here are the materials you'll need to make you wire wrapped stone pendant. You can find all in craft stores, online at Amazon or other jewelry supply sites, which I link to in my sidebar. Don't spend a lot of money on supplies until you feel comfortable with the techniques and know that you plan to make more jewellery. A great way to get started is to buy a basic jewelry making tool kit; this way, you'll have all of the essentil tools on hand -- and you'll save money in the process. I still use the tools from my starter kit and they work as well as the more expensive products. 1. Wire cutters: Used for cutting the wire, of course. Cut quickly and smoothly so you don't get a jagged end -- but if you do, don't worry; just file down the end to blunt it. You don't want to poke yourself with the wire! 2. Flat nose pliers: Pliers that have a flat tip. For this particular project, you'll need these to secure the wire when you make the bail (loop) for the pendant. 3. Round nose pliers: Pliers that have a curved tip. For this project, you'll use them to make the top loop and the spirals in the wire wrap design. 4. Artistic wire: For this project, I recommend using 20 gauge wire, which is a little thinner than the wire I suggest in some of my other projects. But you'll need a gauge of wire that's very easy to manipulate, so go with the thinner type. I'ved used copper; silver plated is fine, too, but go for a cheaper brand -- for now. You can use higher end wire when you master the wrap. 5. A top-drilled stone. You can find drilled stones on most jewelry supply sites. I suggest going with a round stone for now. Make sure it's top-drilled, meaning that a hole runs through it from top to bottom. You want to be able to string it on the wire. 6. A chain, ribbon, black silk cord, leather cord, thick string, etc. Once your pendant is complete, you'll want to hang it onto something so you -- or the person you give this to -- can actually wear the necklace! Here are the instructions for making the wire wrapped stone pendant. I'm using a lava stone, but you
can use any type of stone you want. I explain how to make a basic spiral pattern, but once you get the hang of wire wrapping, you can experiment with different shapes and patterns, and even add beads and crystals into your design. 1. Cut about a foot of wire using your wire cutters. Straighten it out with your fingers, being careful not to bend or scratch it. Using your round nose pliers, make a loop about a half inch from one end of the wire. You should have a loop with a short "tail" trailing it, as you can see from my photo. 2. Gently hold the loop in your flat nose pliers to keep it steady. Using your fingers, coil that half inch "tail" around the longer wire, under the base of the loop. It'll look a little like a noose. Use the flat nose pliers to squeeze that wire coil as tight and even as possible. You don't want any of the wire to be poking out. This loop is going to be the necklace bail through which you link your cord or chain. 3. String your stone along the wire, all the way up to the loop. Turn the loop so that it's perpendicular to the stone. This way, when you hang your pendant on your chain or cord, the stone will hang straight and not sideways. At this point, your stone should look a bit like a lollipop with a wire "stem" on the bottom. 4. Bring that "stem" up to the bottom of the stone and use your fingers -- or your round nose pliers -to create a spiral in the lower left quadrant of the stone. I've made a double spiral, but you can make a single one if you'd like. 5. Criss cross the wire around the BACK of the stone, pulling it over the top the stone's upper right quadrant. Make another spiral. This not only looks artistically pleasing, but you're helping to secure the wire by pulling it around the back. 6. Again, criss cross the wire around the back of the stone, but this time, begin to wind it around the coil that's under the top loop/bail. Using your fingers, coil it four or five times around, as tightly and neatly as possible. Trim the excess wire, then use your flat nose pliers to further squeeze and tighten the coil. 7. Link your chain, string, cord, etc. Through that top bail/loop that's on your pendant... And voila! Your now have a wire wrapped necklace! Adjust your chain/cord to your liking and enjoy! Click Here for Great Deals on Jewelry Tools and Jewelry Supplies