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Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure, Classic Wire Jewelry. Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. Don't you just love the warmth of gold! With the price of solid skyrocketing, what are we to do? What are the alternatives if you want the look but not the price? <br /> <br /> The term gold-plated means there is a very thin layer of gold, a minimum of 0.

Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Classic
  • Technique(s): Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
Don't you just love the warmth of gold! With the price of solid skyrocketing, what are we to do? What are the alternatives if you want the look but not the price?

The term gold-plated means there is a very thin layer of gold, a minimum of 0.5 microns with no specific karat weight required, electroplated to a different metal base, usually copper or brass. Because the gold layer is very thin, it wears off quite quickly. The gold-plating on a piece of jewelry will wear off in many places within a year of daily wearing, if not sooner. Silver plated copper core craft wire is covered with a gold wash of color before it is coated with an anti-tarnish finish. This wire would be a great product to practice making this bracelet with. The anti-tarnish coating does help the piece last longer than a standard plated item.

Gold vermeil is a thicker plating at a minimum of 2.5 microns of at least 10k gold, with the base metal usually being silver. It is therefore considered a step up from gold-plating. Both gold-filled and vermeil pieces can tarnish. With proper wear and care, the gold on vermeil pieces will last longer than on gold-plated pieces.

The term gold-filled describes jewelry with a thicker solid layer of gold, up to 100% thicker than gold-filled or vermeil with a minimum of 5% gold weight, bonded with heat, not electroplated, to a base of a different metal, usually jewelers' brass. Gold-filled jewelry is considered a lifetime jewelry. In other words, if worn and cared for responsibly like any other high quality jewelry piece, a gold-filled piece should last a lifetime.

14k gold filled wire was used to make this bracelet, which will last through a lifetime of daily wear.

Materials

Rose Gold Filled Round Bright Beads 4mm - Pack of 10 - Pack of 10
L9-14
  • Lesson Quantity: 5.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.68
  • Gold Club Price: $3.51
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Rose Gold Filled Round Bright Beads 3mm - Pack of 10 - Pack of 10
L9-13
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.54
  • Gold Club Price: $1.91
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22 Gauge Square Half Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-22SQH
  • Lesson Quantity: 9.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $5.95
  • Gold Club Price: $4.46
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21 Gauge Square Half Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-21SQH
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $39.32
  • Gold Club Price: $29.49
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21 Gauge Half Round Half Hard 14/20 Rose Gold Filled Wire
H6-21HRH
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $13.11
  • Gold Club Price: $9.83
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Tools

Scotch 0.94 Inch Painters Tape for Taping Wires Together
G13-5
  • G13-5
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.97
  • Gold Club Price: $4.48
Add to Bag
C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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4.5 Inch Flat Nose Mini Pliers
G2-88
  • G2-88
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.97
  • Gold Club Price: $3.73
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6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
G2-503
  • G2-503
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
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Round Hard Wood Bracelet Mandrel - 15 Inches
G7-33
  • G7-33
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Steel Ruler, 12 Inches
GAU-189.10
  • GAU-189.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.95
  • Gold Club Price: $3.71
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retractable fine nose Sharpie
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Instructions
Step 1
Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.

Cut two 18" pieces of 21 gauge square wire and one 9" piece of 22 gauge square wire.
Step 2
Twist the 22 gauge square wire piece. This is the center wire holding the beads as well as the decorative wire down the center of the sides of the bangle. 21 or 20 gauge square wire can be used, but after twisting, it may be thicker than the 21 or 20 gauge long wires framing it. It also may not be able to pass through the holes of the 3mm or 4mm beads.
Step 3
Find the center of each 18" long piece of square wire. Bend the wires in a "U" shape on the two indicated barrels of the 6-step barrel pliers. The smaller "U" will be the hook and the larger "U" will be the loop.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 4
Use a Sharpie to mark the two "U" shaped wires 7" from the bent ends for a size small, 7½" from the bent ends for a size medium, and 8" from the bent ends for a size large. Note: For reference, my wrist measures 5½" so I made a small.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 5
Thread two 3mm beads, five 4mm beads, and two 3mm beads on the twisted wire. Painter's tape folder over the ends of the wire will act as bead stops.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 6
Place the narrower "U"-the hook wire-between the wider "U" wires. Pull the wires out to match up the end of the "U" bends with the marked wire lengths. Check to make sure the wire ends are far enough apart to make the desired size. Here, a small size is being made. Make sure the "U" shaped wires are not twisted. Use painter's tape to secure the ends together. Mark the tape ½" in from the hook end and ¼" in from the loop end.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 7
Measure the distance between the two marks and divide it in half. Mark that halfway point on the square wires.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 8
Center the beads on the twisted wire and place between the square wires, matching the center bead with the center marks on the outer square wires.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 9
Use painter's tape on the five wires on one side of the beads to keep the beads from moving. Curve the outer square wires on the other side of the beads until they come in line with the twisted center wire.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 10
To conserve wire, work from the wire coil. Bend the half round wire towards the flat side of the wire 1¼" from the cut end. Hoop the wire on the square and twisted wire bundle. Wrap once around the bundle. Use flat nose pliers to squeeze and set the wire wrap. Do this one more time. Go back to the wire tail and tighten it, still leaving the tail. When six or so wraps have been completed, the wire tail can be wrapped tightly toward the beads. Continue to wrap outward from the beads until ten wraps have been made. Both wire tails will be secured later.
Note: When wrapping, there will be a front and a back to the bangle. Make sure the wrap wires always end on the back of the bangle
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 11
Repeat Step 10 on the other side of the beads.
Step 12
Working on the loop end, squeeze the outer square wires towards the three center wires. The curved end loop should be no more than ½" long. Trim excess wire length so the center three wires are just a bit shorter than the inside of the loop.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 13
Make a hook with the half round wire as in Step 10. Starting 3/16" from the loop end, wrap the wire bundle towards the beads. Make three wraps, then bend the three center wire tails towards the back side of the bangle. Bend the wires over the wraps. Use flat nose pliers to snug the wires down.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 14
Wrap around the wire tails and the bangle three times. Trim the bent wire tails off as close as possible to the last wrap.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 15
Wrap the wire tail that is close to the loop over the outside and then to the back of the bangle. This will cover some of the visible bent center wires. On the final wrap, tightly pull the tail between the loop wire and the bent wires. Trim the excess wire flush with the loop. Use a chain nose pliers to tap down the tip of the cut wire, if needed. Continue wrapping the other end until there are a total of 10 wraps showing on the outside. Cut the wrap wire, leaving at least a ½" tail.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 16
Trim the outer two square wires and the center twisted wires on the hook end of the bangle as for the loop end in Step 12. Mark the hook wire ½" from the loop end to make it easier to see where to start securing the wires together. Squeeze the outer square wires towards the three center wires, making the hook "U" narrower than the loop.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 17
Make a hook on the end of the "U" wire using the smallest barrel on the 6-step barrel pliers.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 18
The wrap on the hook end is done in the same manner as on the loop end in Steps 13, 14, 1nd 15.

Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 19
Most people cut half round wire off part way across the back of the piece they are making. I would much prefer the ends be secured, if possible, or ended in such a way as to not scratch the wearer. The wire wraps closest to the beads can be pulled from the back to the front between the twisted wire and the two outside wires. When pulled very tightly, they will not be going anywhere. Trim the excess wire tail on the front. Use a flat or chain nose pliers to tap down the tip of the cut wire, if needed.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 20
Trim all the remaining half round wrap wire tails to 7/16" in length.
Note: The photo shows a size small. The distance between the center and the end wraps on the size large may be too much for your liking. Add another set of wraps on either side of the beads at any spot desired.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 21
Spiral the wire wrap tails. Use a flat nose pliers to snug them down to the back of the bangle.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Step 22
Shape the bangle on a round mandrel-a large pill bottle works great. Once it is round, gently keep curving it into an oval shape until there is tension when the hook goes into the loop. Continue to make adjustments until the bangle fits as desired.
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle
Judy Larson's Dainty Bead and Wire Bangle with Hook Closure - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, classic wire wrap bangle

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