Wire Wrap Ring Tutorial

Wire wrap rings are not (as far as I have been able to determine) actually Period. However, they have a reasonably period look, and are quick and easy to make.

Tools/Materials:

Wire (I use 20-gauge copper wire from Unkamen Supplies on Etsy)
Beads (the beads in this tutorial are 7.4mm plastic pearl beads)
Mandrel
Wire Snips
Pliers

Process:

1. Cut desired length of wire. This takes some trial and error, to determine what length you prefer for the look you are trying to achieve. Longer wire can wrap more times around the bead. Tip! Err on the side of too long at first. You can always snip off the excess.

2. Thread the bead onto the wire, and bend the wire in half so that the bead is at the center.

3. Wrap the loose ends of the wire in opposite directions around your mandrel (I use a ring-sizing stick now, but in the past I've used everything from a broom stick to a Tide-to-Go pen). Wrap all the way around, back to the bead on each side. While holding the bead in place, tug gently on the loose ends to ensure the wire is wrapped snugly around the mandrel.

4. Wrap the wire around the perimeter of the bead at least once (I usually circle the bead two or three times), to encircle it. Make sure to leave at least an inch of wire on each end.

5. Take the ring off the mandrel. Wrap the ends around the band of the ring until you run out of length. Use the pliers to crimp down the end tightly against the band--you don't want pokey bits stabbing somebody's fingers when they wear your ring! The band will shift around a bit as you do this. Try to minimize it, but don't worry overmuch. We'll correct it in the next step.

6. Place the ring back around the mandrel. Work it with your fingers (and the pliers, if needed) to achieve the circular band and the desired look around the bead. As you gain experience making the rings, this is where your creativity can really come into play (see finished examples, below).






7. Take the ring back off the mandrel. Et voila! Your ring is complete!

Basic ring.

Oval bead.

Fancy wire wrap.