Wire-Wrapping Basics

Wire wrapping refers to the wirework techniques that let you shape the findings and decorative components of wire jewelry. Wire wrapping techniques include shaping wire through and around beads and creating coils, spirals, and loops. Once you know how to create findings and other shapes, you can fit these components together to create wire jewelry.

Before you can wrap a wire, you have to cut it to the necessary length. The length of the wire you need to cut depends on the finding or shape you’re making, as well as your personal preference. It’s a good idea to cut all the pieces of wire you’ll need before you start shaping it. That way, you can ensure you’re cutting equal lengths of wire.

If you’d like to incorporate additional decorative details to the wire pieces you create, you’ll have to cut wires that are long enough to accommodate those details. Because you may want to add coils, loops, or wraps of different sizes, there’s no hard and fast rule for how much longer a wire should be to allow you to add such details. Your best bet is to experiment a bit with the designs you want to make in order to determine how much wire you’ll need.

Always make sure to file down cut edges of wire before you start to work with them. To file a piece of wire: