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 for the tools, supplies, and workspace you're using.

Since no measuring is involved in making these loops, their size depends on the plier tips used.

I use cheap, sparkly red-handled flat-nose pliers I bought years ago because of their narrow, thin jaws.

The only other pliers close in size are Lindstrom flat-nose pliers, but their tips are thicker, making the red-handled ones better for making bezel loops.

Generally, adding one inch (25mm) per desired loop to the bezel loop wire length is enough to accommodate different plier sizes.

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, follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies

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, bend the wire 180° tightly over the jaw as shown

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, bend one side wire at a 90° angle

Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Reposition the pliers and bend the other side at a 90°

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, Place the tip of the flat nose pliers

Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, bend as possible and bend the wire down at a 90° angle

Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Repeat with the other side

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.

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, Match the center loop of the wire

Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Tape the wires together to make the bundle easier to wrap

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, Use half round wire to wrap the bezel wires together between the loops

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, Transfer other markings to the wire bundle

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, Bend the bail wires TOWARD the outside

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, Shape the wire bezel as usual

Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, making sure the loops are on the outside

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, insert the cabochon into the wire bezel

Judy Larson's Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, do not extend so far beyond the loops

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, Adjust the wires on the front

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, Add drops when the pendant is finished

Materials

20 Gauge Square Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-20SQH

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $38.09
Gold Club Price: $28.57

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Wire - Variety of gauges, metals and shapes (round, square and half round}

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Cabochons

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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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retractable fine nose Sharpie

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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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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

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Category: Classic
Technique(s): Wrapping

Reviews

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Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!