Make jewellery 3

Make a bead drop using wire

You will need:

  • reel of 0.4mm wire – you can use thinner wire (<0.4)
  • cutters – combination pliers or snips
  • round nose pliers – these make nice circular ‘loops’
  • beads of your choice
  • to finish: earring hooks or ribbon/wire for a necklace

Instructions

  1. Use cutters to cut three lengths of wire at least 8cm long
  2. Using round nose pliers and one piece of wire, make a ‘U turn’ 2cm from one end
  3. Holding the wire tightly with the pliers, take the short end and cross it over the long end
  4. Then wrap this short end tightly around several times to make a neat loop
  5. Thread beads on, leaving at least 2 cm of wire at the end
  6. Using round nose pliers, make a ‘U turn’ and wrap the wire tightly around (like step 4) to make a neat finishing loop
  7. You have made a single ‘drop’. Repeat steps 2 to 6 with the other pieces of wire
  8. Use the drops singly or joined with a split ring as a ‘cluster’ – finish with an earring hook or add to a necklace

Other tips and ideas

  • start at stage 5 if you are using ready made lengths of wire with flat heads / eyes
  • practice! The more you try, the ‘neater’ you become
  • once you are more confident, you can make the drops as long or as short as you like
  • use a pair of long nose pliers to help hold or bend the wire
  • snip off or completely wrap ‘loose ends’ around – otherwise they look messy and are sharp

 

N.B. Hazards – sharp tools & choking risk from beads. NOT suitable for children under 4. Supervision recommended at all times with children under 12.

 

Download making jewellery instructions for bead drop using wire (pdf)