gluminal: How to Wire Wrap a Pendant

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Wire-wrapped jewelry is beautiful and stylish! You can wrap a stone with any color wire you like to create a custom pendant as a gift, to sell online, or to wear yourself. Select a stone to wrap and wire to wrap it. Then, get to work and you'll have your finished pendant in no time!

EditSteps

EditForming the Base of the Pendant

Get a roll of non-tarnishing 20 gauge silver wire. This type of wire is available in the jewelry making section of a craft supply store. Purchase enough wire to cover the diameter of your item times 12.^[1]
- For example, if the stone you want to wire wrap is wide, then you will need at least of wire.
- You may also use 20 or 21 gauge copper or colored wire if you prefer. 20 or 21 gauge is ideal for wrapping a pendant since it is easy to work with, but strong enough to secure the stone.^[2]
Cut 2 pieces of wire that are each 6 times the diameter of your stone. Put on a pair of goggles or safety glasses before you cut the wire.^[3] Measure out a length of wire that is 6 times the diameter of your item. Then, use a pair of wire cutters to sever the wire at this point. File the ends of the wire with a metal file to remove any sharp or jagged points.^[4]
- For example, if the stone is wide, then you will need 2 pieces of wire that are each long.
- Repeat to make a second piece of wire of the same exact length.
Straighten the wire with your hands. Grasp 1 of the wires at the ends and pull them apart to straighten the length of wire as much as possible. Uncurl any spots in the wire that have gotten twisted. Then, repeat for the second piece of wire.^[5]
- The wires do not need to be perfectly straight. Make them as straight as you can, but don't worry if they are slightly wavy in some spots.
Fold the lengths of wire in half around your index finger. Line up the 2 pieces of wire so that their ends are even. Then, locate the center of the wires and use your hands to bend them at this point to fold them in half. Use your index finger to maintain some space at the center point of the wires.^[6]
- This will be the opening for the chain or cord that you string your finished pendant onto.
- The wire will bend in half easily, so there is no need to use pliers to do this.
Grasp the bent portion of the 2 lengths of wire and twist. Place your index finger into the center point of the wires. Then, use your fingers or a pair of pliers to grasp the wires about from the fold and twist to create a loop at the center of the wire. Twist 2 times to ensure that the loop is secure.^[7]
- Remove your index finger from the fold after you have created the loop.
- You can do this part with your hands or with a pair of pliers.

EditSecuring the Stone with the Wires

Select a disc-shaped stone to wrap. You can wrap any type of stone, bead, or crystal you like, but items with a disc-like shape are easiest to wrap. Choose a flat stone as your first wire-wrapping project.^[8]
- Your item will also be easier to wrap if it has uneven or jagged (but not sharp) edges. This will make it easier for you to anchor the wire to the outside of the stone.
Spread out the 4 wires extending from the loop so they are equidistant. Use your fingers to separate the wires at the base of the loop you created. Arrange the wires so that each 1 is pointed in a different direction and at an equal distance from each of its neighbors.^[9]
- Try to make the 4 wires look like each 1 is pointing to 1 corner of a square.
Position the stone with the top part at the center of the 4 wires. Identify where you want the top of the pendant to be and place this end onto the center of the 4 wires. Arrange the stone or other pendant item so that the flattest edge will be facing outwards.^[10]
- If your stone or other pendant item has a special feature that you want to be at the front of the necklace, then make sure to arrange it so that this will be visible.
Bring 2 of the wires together on 1 edge of the stone and twist. Grasp 2 of the wires on 1 side of the stone—1 on the front and 1 on the back. Bring the wires against the stone on the front and back of it and then twist them 2 times to secure them along the along the side of the stone.^[11]
- Keep holding the stone and wire together since the stone will still be able to slip out at this point.
Wrap the same 2 wires across the top edge of the stone and twist. Take the same 2 wires and bring them to the center of the stone, which will be the bottom of the pendant when it is completed. Twist these wires 2 times against the edge of the stone to secure it.^[12]
- The stone will be more secure at this point, but continue to keep a firm grip on it to prevent it from slipping out.
Repeat with the other 2 wires on the opposite side of the stone. Go through the same process to secure the other side of the stone. Twist the wires 2 times against the side of the stone across from where you secured it on the opposite side, and then bring the wires to the center of the stone (bottom of the pendant) and twist them twice against that edge as well.^[13]
- It is okay if the wires on 1 side of the stone are not in the exact same location as on the first side. This lack of symmetry may add interest to your pendant.
Twist all 4 wires to secure the bottom of the pendant. After you have secured the second set of wires at the bottom of the pendant, grasp all 4 wires and twist them together 2 times. This will secure the bottom of the pendant.^[14]
- Do not cut the wires after you twist them. Leave the ends to create spirals and wrap the wire around the stone additional times.

EditAdding Design Elements

Create a jag in the wire to add a zigzag design and tighten the wire. Pinch the wire with the pliers so that they are perpendicular to the stone and then rotate the pliers 180 degrees. This will create a small Z shape in the wire and it will also tighten the wire against the stone.^[15]
- Repeat this as many times as you like in the wires lining the front of the stone.
- Make jags going all in the same direction or vary them if you prefer.
- To provide yourself with more wire to twist into jags, bring 1 or more of the ends extending from the bottom of the stone up and over the top of the pendant. Secure the end of the wire to the top of the pendant by twisting it around the base of the loop.^[16]
Roll a piece of wire into a coil to form a spiral design on the pendant. Use the pliers to grasp the end of 1 of the wires extending from the bottom of the pendant. Then, rotate the pliers 180 degrees to form a loop with the end of the wire. Open the pliers to release the wire, and then grasp it again from the side to flatten out the loop. Rotate the pliers in a counterclockwise direction to coil the wire around the loop. Then, release the wire, return the pliers to the starting position, and rotate the pliers again to continue coiling the wire.^[17]
- Keep coiling the wire in this way until the spiral is the desired size. Then use the pliers to press the spiral of wire against the stone.
- Try making 4 coils with each of the ends of wire and grouping these along the bottom of the pendant.^[18]
Wrap a piece of wire around 2 of the wires extending from the pendant. To accent the wires themselves, take 1 of the wires and use the pliers to wrap it around 2 of the other wires. Hold the 2 pieces of wire together, and start wrapping them near the base of the pendant. Wrap the wire around the other 2 pieces like a vine until you are satisfied with the look or until you run out of wire. Then, secure the 2 ends of wire to the top of the pendant.^[19]
- You may cut the excess from the 2 wires you wrapped, or use these ends to form spirals along the top edge of the stone.
- If you cut the excess, make sure to file the ends to remove any sharp or jagged points.^[20]
Attach the pendant to a chain or cord. When you are finished making your wire-wrapped stone pendant, insert the end of a chain or necklace cord (such as hemp or nylon) through the wire loop at the top of the pendant. Secure the ends of the chain around the wearer's neck, or tie the ends of the cord in a knot and slip the necklace over the wearer's head.
- Make sure that the chain or cord is the desired length for displaying your pendant.
- Ensure that the cord is long enough to fit over the wearer's head before you tie it in a knot.