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Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap

by Judy Larson
Adding dangles to a wire wrapped pendant using complimentary beads can take a ho-hum design to WOW. The little loops at the bottom of a wire bezel are easy to create.

These are general directions for adding loops to a wire wrapped bezel, not instructions to make a finished project.
Instructions
Remember to follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the space you are working in.

Since there is no measuring involved in making these loops, the size of the loops made will be determined by the tips of pliers used.

The cheap sparkly red handled flat nose pliers were purchased years ago and are still used to make these bezel loops. They were purchased for their narrow as well as thin jaws.

The only other pliers that come close to that size are the Lindstrom flat nose pliers. However, the Lindstrom jaws are a bit thicker at the tip than the sparkly handle red one, which is why the red one work so well to make the dangle loops.

In general, adding one inch (25mm) per loop desired to the length of the bezel loop wire will be sufficient. This extra length will account for different sizes of plier jaws that may be used. Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie to mark the center of the loop wire.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Place the very tip of the flat nose pliers on the line and bend the wire 180° tightly over the jaw as shown.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Keeping the plier jaw in the bend, bend one side wire at a 90° angle over the plier jaw as shown. Reposition the pliers and bend the other side at a 90° angle as shown.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Place the tip of the flat nose pliers as close to the bend as possible and bend the wire down at a 90° angle. Repeat with the other side.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Place the tip of the flat nose pliers as close to the downward bend as possible and bend the wire 180° over the tip of the pliers. Repeat with the other side.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Place the tip of the flat nose pliers as close to the bend as possible. Bend the wire over the top of the plier tip at a 90° angle. Repeat with the other side. Make any necessary adjustments.
Match the center loop of the wire component just made with the center marks on the other bezel wires.

Where the loop bezel wire is placed in the bezel wire bundle is personal preference.

Here, there is one wire on one side of the loop bezel wire and two wires on the other side. Tape the wires together to make the bundle easier to wrap.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Use half round wire to wrap the bezel wires together between the loops, remembering to begin and end on what will be the inside of the wire bezel.

How many wraps will be needed depends upon the size of the half round wire used as well as the size of the plier tips used to make the loops and spaces.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Transfer other markings to the wire bundle for additional wrapping with half round wire. Complete wrapping the bezel wire bundle together.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Bend the bail wires TOWARD the outside (right side) of the wire bundle, which is the side the loops are protruding from.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Shape the wire bezel as usual, making sure the loops are on the outside.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Pendant bails are all made differently. Because of this, insert the cabochon into the wire bezel at the appropriate time in the pendant making process.

These photos show where the back bezel wires were bent to cage the cabochon. Notice that the half round wrap wires do not extend so far beyond the loops that the cabochon can fall out of the setting.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Adjust the wires on the front of the cabochon to cage the stone in place.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel
Add drops when the pendant is finished.
Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, adding loops to wire wrapped bezel

Materials

20 Gauge Square Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire
H19-20SQH
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $22.57
  • Gold Club Price: $16.93
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Tools

Lindstrom RX Ergonomic Flat Nose Pliers
G2-7490RX
  • G2-7490RX
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $66.16
  • Gold Club Price: $49.62
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  • Category: Classic
  • Technique(s): Wrapping

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