Beaded Steel Wire Chain

by Judy Freyer Thompson

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Chain Making
Skill Level: Beginner

Make this cool chain using 19-gauge steel wire or substitute 18-gauge copper wire. I added some glass beads to a little bling.

If you choose to use the steel wire, you will want to remove the tool oil from it before you make the links. You can do this using plain soap and water and dry thoroughly, or clean the wire with 400 grit sandpaper. The quantity of wire called for in the supplies will make 26 links and 40 6mm jump rings and a hook clasp. Adjust as necessary for the length you are making.

Materials

19-gauge dark annealed steel wire or 18-gauge copper wire

Lesson Quantity: 10.00 feet
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Matte Onyx 4mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand

A1-290

Lesson Quantity: 53.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Price: $5.07
Gold Club Price: $3.80

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Add All Items to Cart

Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5

G15-20

G15-20
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $170.72
Gold Club Price: $128.04

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6PC File Set

FIL-912.10

FIL-912.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $39.97
Gold Club Price: $29.98

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Wire Jewelry Cushion Clamp - Pack of 1

G10-1

G10-1
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

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Deluxe V-Slot Bench Pin with Clamp

BPN-105.00

BPN-105.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $10.95
Gold Club Price: $8.21

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Digital Calipers With Stone Holder by Euro Tool

GAU-179.00

GAU-179.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $39.97
Gold Club Price: $29.98

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5 Piece Steel Mandrel Set

G7-5

G7-5
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.95
Gold Club Price: $9.71

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Renaissance wax

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Instructions

Step 1

Wash the wire with soap and water or clean with 400 grit sandpaper. Apply a thin coating of wax and polish with a soft cloth. Measure and cut 26 pieces of wire 2 ½" long. To file the ends flat, hold a group of the wires using the cushion clamp, rest on the bench pin for support and file flat and smooth using the flat file

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , cut the wire

Step 2

Make a mark on your round nose pliers at 2.5 mm and 4.2 mm using the digital caliper and permanent marker.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , mark your pliers

Step 3

Grasp a wire in the center on the 2.5 mm mark you made on the round nose pliers and make a 'safety pin' eye, bringing the ends of the wires together.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make a loop

Step 4

If you are using beads, slide one on one wire, position the end of the wire at the 4.2 mm mark and then make an eye, break the neck. Continue with the remaining wires.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , add a bead

Step 5

Wrap a 4' length of wire around the 6mm mandrel to make 40 jump rings.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make 40 jump rings

Step 6

Cut the links apart and condition them using the flat nose and half round pliers.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , cut the rings apart

Step 7

To assemble the chain, attach two links together at the 'safety pin' eyes with a single jump ring. Next, use a jump ring through two links on the larger eye ends. Slide a second jump ring to attach the other eyes. Continue until the entire chain is assembled.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , attach two links together

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , connect the ends

Step 8

To make the hook, cut a piece of wire 4" long. Make the same 'safety pin' eye 1" off one end. Wrap the tail. Measure 1" off the wrapped tail, and slide a bead on.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make a safety pin eye

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , xxxxx

Step 9

Hold the wire at the 1" mark and bend as shown. Use the bottom of the round nose pliers to make slight curved in the end, then bend wire into a hook.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make a bend

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make a hook

Step 10

Clamp the hook with the cushion clamp, bend the wire as shown. Use the half round pliers to tuck the tail above the beads. Attach the hook to one end of the necklace with a jump ring.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , clamp the hook

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , wrap the neck

Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , attach the hook to the end of the necklace

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Judy Freyer Thompson

Judy Freyer Thompson has been creating since 2006 and is mostly self-taught. She is an artist with a diverse background ranging from farming to mechanical manufacturing to aerospace. Her jewelry and small sculpture reflect both her experience and fascination with materials that are earthy. More often than not she loves to 'think outside the box'. She loves to incorporate found objects and objects such as bones, teeth, fur in her work. These desires feeds her desire to design and create one of a kind pieces of art to wear. Her work has been in various galleries as well as being featured in magazines and books. Along with Kalmbach Publishing , she released Simple Metalwork Jewelry in October 2016. She is a freelance designer and writes projects for Wire Jewelry and other on line publications. By day, she is the Assistant Director of a School Readiness Program. She lives in CT with her husband Mel, daughter Madison, and kitties Truman, Binky and Layla