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Daily Wire Tip July 31: Making a Bail with Pattern Wire

By on July 30, 2010
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
July 31, 2010

Question:

I have a large citrine I want to make into a pendant, but it is very deep. I would like to wrap the pendant in a combination of pattern wire and square wire, but do not know how to end the pattern wire to do the bail.

-Merilou in Wildomar, California

Answer:

I often add pattern wire to the frame of a deep stone. Incorporate the pattern wire as you would any square wire and when coming to the bail, you can choose several options, depending on the design you want.

One way is to just cut the pattern wire a bit longer than the bail wrap and then fold it over the wraps and flatten it down. Another way is to leave the pattern wire ends a bit longer, shape them into the flow of your design and use a Dremel to round off the sharp edges as in this example. With some experimentation, you will discover the look you desire. Have fun!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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4 Comments

  1. avatar

    Thomas

    July 31, 2010 at 12:38 pm

    No question these tips are very helpful to us all.
    Thanks again

  2. avatar

    Debbie

    July 31, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    I saw someone snip the ends of the pattern wire into a point at the ends and bend the edge wires to follow the point until the come together as another option. It turned out beautifully.

  3. avatar

    beverly bishop

    July 31, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    I’ve been getting your mailing for some time now and this response and the gallery pictures were amazing. I’ve been wire wrapping for quite a few years now and my teacher never suggested some of your techniques in my classes. I made the cab ring in class but he never had us wrap the wires going around the finger, therefore, my beautiful ring broke. I will be doing that with all future rings. The tips and techniques you share are invaluable to me. There has been something in every one that I have been able to use in my work. Thanks for a great site.

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      August 1, 2010 at 10:10 am

      So glad we are able to help Beverly : )