wire works {jewelry}

I started beading as a fun activity I could share with my daughter.  We began with simple projects and learned some basic techniques together in order to make earrings, bracelets, and necklaces that coordinate with her favorite outfits.  It’s been great fun and she has lots of cute pieces to mix and match with her wardrobe!  As I’ve practiced and experimented with Fiskars’ wire tools I’ve found I can incorporate wire into my projects in even more creative ways.  As you’ll see there are endless shapes and designs you can make using the Wire Winder Jig/Templates and Right Angle Tool. 

This Key Fob is a very simple project to start with using the Right Angle Tool. 

The mandrel tool has various shapes (circle, square, triangle and ovals) and sizes.  Coiled loops are easy to make by wrapping your wire around the Right Angle Tool as I did here.  I chose one of the smaller circles and wrapped the 20 guage wire around 5-6 times.  Then I clipped off the ends with the Wire Cutter and adjusted tips using the Blunt Nose Pliers. 

Use the Needle Nose Pliers to make the loops at the end of headpins.  The Micro Tip Pliers are perfect for any other small adjustments you may need.  

Tip:  I used the coiled loops as jump rings here, but you could use them in other ways.  For example, make links (in any shape) connect them with beaded pins to create a bracelet or anklet. 

My next piece is a wire circular pendant using both the Right Angle Tool and the different Pliers to create swirl designs. 

 I started with again wrapping 20 guage wire around the Right Angle Tool.  This time I chose the largest circle and wrapped the wire about 2 ½ times. 

The extra length on the ends were then twisted using the Needle Nose Pliers to form a swirl within the circle and one at the top of the pendant where a jump ring will later be attached.

I then took a 3” piece of wire to form the swirled beaded wire using both the Right Angle Tool and Pliers and secured it inside the circle using a finer guage of wire. To finish, attach a jump ring to the top swirl and add a chain.

My final project is a link bracelet that’s a little more complex wrapped wire design using the Wire Winder Jig and Template (Design 10). 

I used my Wire Cutters to cut a 9”-10” piece of 18 guage wire.  Leaving 2 ½” at the end, I wrapped the wire first around the lower left peg moving the wire itself in a clockwise direction. 

However, the next peg would be counter clockwise from the first (at the lower right).  I then continued around 5 more posts (see photo) in the same fashion.  From time to time, I used the Blunt Nose Pliers to tighten the wire.  When I had the wire back again at the first loop, I used the Needle Nose Pliers to make any adjustments to evening out the wire.  I also used the Plier tip to push out the 2 straight lines near the center.  Now here’s a feature I simply love about the Wire Winder!  When my design was complete, I simply removed the clear lift plate and my design was released without being bent or misshapen.

Once I freed the design, I bent the end of wire I started with to run straight across the center of the design.  I added beads and then wrapped each end around the end loops. I made 5 links for this 7” bracelet and attached the links with jump rings using Pliers.

I also created a hand made clasp by taking 3” of wire and folded it in half.  I then used the Blunt Nose Pliers and the Needle Nose Pliers to create this “S” shaped clasp and attached it to the bracelet with a jump ring.

Using wire to create interesting jewelry pieces doesn’t need to be difficult especially with Fiskars innovative tools.  Give them a try, you’ll be glad you did.

By Patti Milazzo