Grand Marais Wire Bracelet

by Kristal Wick

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Lashing, Making Jump Rings, Texturing
Skill Level: Beginner

Inspired by Grand Marais, Minnesota, this fun project uses just a few components and it's a good way to feature some special focal beads you may be saving because you don't have enough to make a necklace but too many to make only earrings!

Materials

Venus Jasper 6mm Round 8 inch Strand

A1-899

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $6.30
Gold Club Price: $4.73

Add to Bag

22 Gauge Round Amber Enameled Craft Wire - 45 ft

H5-M22-45FT

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $6.20
Gold Club Price: $4.65

Add to Bag

20 Gauge Round Vintage Bronze Enameled Craft Wire - 30 ft

H5-N20-30FT

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $6.80
Gold Club Price: $5.10

Add to Bag

Gold Filled Jump Ring Open (.025) 22ga. (OD) 6mm (ID) 5.1mm - Pack of 25

J11-177

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $13.32
Gold Club Price: $9.99

Add to Bag

Gold Filled Oval Lobster 11mm - Pack of 1

J3-84

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $5.00
Gold Club Price: $3.75

Add to Bag

Gold Filled Jump Rings Open (.040) 18ga. (OD) 6mm Heavy (ID) 4.02mm - Pack of 10

J11-196

Lesson Quantity: 15.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 4.00 each
Price: $10.32
Gold Club Price: $7.74

Add to Bag

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

Add to Bag

20 X 15 Inch Padded Work Mat

MAT-620.00

MAT-620.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

Add to Bag

CLEAR SAFETY GLASSES

GLS-120.40

GLS-120.40
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.95
Gold Club Price: $3.71

Add to Bag

Single 3rd Hand with Tweezer and Base

HOL-165.00

HOL-165.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.97
Gold Club Price: $14.23

Add to Bag

4 Inch Wire Jewelry Cushion Clamp - Pack of 1

G10-2

G10-2
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

Add to Bag

Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1

G17-10

G17-10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $21.95
Gold Club Price: $16.46

Add to Bag

Chasing Hammer - Flat Faced with Polished Wooden Handle - Pack of 1

G3-13

G3-13
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.97
Gold Club Price: $8.98

Add to Bag

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

Add to Bag

Add All Items to Cart

Instructions

Step 1

Cut a 3" piece of 20g wire and place in the 5th jaw of the barrel pliers in the middle of the wire. Wrap around the jaw creating a "U" shape.

Kristal Wick's Grand Marais Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Texturing, cross the wires around the pliers

Step 2

Keeping the loop the same size, straighten out both ends of the wire. On one end, make a spiral using the smallest jaw on the barrel pliers.

Kristal Wick's Grand Marais Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Texturing, make a small spiral

Step 3

Repeat step 2 for the other wire side making the loops as consistent as possible. Hammer the link to work harden and create texture. Reshape if needed. Make 8 links.

Step 4

Using a 5" piece of 22g wire, string a bead and begin to make 4 tight wraps on one side of the wire link.

Optional: I use a 3rd hand base and jewelry cushion clamp to hold the link steady so I can wire wrap easier.

Pro Tip: Leave a small space between the bead and the top of the link for the jump ring you'll be adding later.

Kristal Wick's Grand Marais Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Texturing, wrap 22g wire a couple times around the link

Step 5

Wrap the other side of the link with 4 tight wraps. Trim excess wire and tuck in any sharp wire ends. Make 7 links or as many as you need to fit your wrist.
Note: Keep one link empty for the bracelet end.

Step 6

Connect 2 link heads with 2 jump rings.

Kristal Wick's Grand Marais Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Texturing, connect 2 links with 2 jump rings

Step 7

Connect 2 link spirals with 2 jump rings. Continue until you reach your desired length. Add the empty link to one end of the bracelet using 2 jump rings.

Step 8

Add a lobster clasp to the other end of the bracelet using a jump ring.

Kristal Wick's Grand Marais Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Texturing, add a clasp

Kristal Wick's Grand Marais Wire Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Texturing, wire link and bead bracelet

Reviews

Kristal Wick

Internationally award winning designer, teacher and official Swarovski Instructor, she resides with her 2 puppies, Sparkle and Bling in beautiful Colorado. Kristal's fashion endeavors include designing & creating jewelry for the Jimmy Buffet Band backup singers & dancers; appearing numerous times on HGTV, PBS and JTV and teaching on cruise ships worldwide. The author of 4 books: Metal Clay 101 for Beaders, Foxy Epoxy, Fabulous Fabric Beads Sassy Silky Savvy; 2 DVDs: Mixed Media: Beaded Bracelets with Fiber Beads and Crystals, Resin, Wire Mixed Media: Jewelry Making with Handmade Beads, Crystals, Resin, and More! Past editor of BeadingDaily.com, her designs have been featured in over 85 publications. Kristal's jewelry has been represented in galleries spanning the globe including Santa Fe - Canyon Rd. Alaska, Cayman Islands, Italy, Germany & the Virgin Islands.