Wire wrap is a hand fabricated method of jewelry design and creation. It involves the use of tools to bind and twist wires together. Some of the tools used include pliers, pin vise, Swiss pattern file, wire cutters, ring mandrel, and a scale. Plier types include bent nose, flat nose, round nose, and chain nose, depending upon the look you are trying to achieve. Jewelry wire comes in many shapes, such as round, square, half round, triangular, flat, or patterned. Although square wire is used for many items, half round is used for wrapping ring shanks. Round wire is used for earring findings and bead rings. The wire metal type can be brass, copper, fine silver, sterling silver, karated gold, or gold-filled (brass core with karated gold on the surface). The gauge of wire refers to the thickness, which varies from 8-gauge (thick) to 26-gauge (thin).

Some of the basic techniques include twisting the wire, wrapping a wire bundle, crimping or flattening the wrap, scrolling, and shaping. All of these techniques are visible on the examples shown to the right. Click on this image and the one at the top of the page to see image enlargements.

This jewelry making technique is possible to learn and perform in home studios because the needed tools are simple. It does not involve the use of solder, fire, chemicals, or complicated machinery. Advantages of this technique are unlimited design possibilities, fast turnaround from the design inception to jewelry completion, and the ability to incorporate any shape or finish of any material from gemstone to pottery shards.


Clyde's Key West Art and Crafts