Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Great Balls of Wire!

My jewellery giveaways are progressing nicely since yesterday's post. But after assembling the beaded chain, I decided it needed a bit more razzle dazzle and I had just the thing in mind - coiled wire beads.
Collection of crazy wire beads
These Great Balls of Wire are made using the Coiling Gizmo.  I've had this neat little gadget for quite some time but I hadn't used it before so this was the perfect opportunity.

To make your own balls of wire, you first need to create a coil following the instructions that come with the Coiling Gizmo. I've used the thinner mandrel and 28 gauge non tarnish silver wire for bright, shiny beads. It took about 3 metres (10 feet) of wire to make a coil the full length of the mandrel. From that I coiled about 7 beads.

Once you've made the coil, cut the anchor wire and slide the coil off the mandrel.
Trimming the end of the wire coil with flush cutters so it can be removed from the mandrel

Unwind the first couple of coils and wrap the wire around a headpin.
Unwinding the first couple of coils and wrapping them around a headpin.

Continue wrapping the coil around the headpin stretching it as you go.
Beginning to wrap the coil around the headpin, stretching it as you go.

Continue wrapping the wire back over itself.
Continue wrapping the coil around the headpin stretching it as you go.

This will help create a fuller bead with a rounded centre.
Coiling the wire again, over the base


The bead should look something like this.
Finished silver wire coiled bead

Now push the ends of the coil together squeezing the wire coils into each other. This will help make a firmer bead. You can also reshape the bead a little by pinching and rolling it between your fingers.
Push the ends of the coil together squeezing the wire coils into each other. This will help make a firmer bead. You can also reshape the bead a little by pinching and rolling it between your fingers.

Use flat nose pliers to turn the headpin at a right angle. Trim the headpin to approximately 8-10mm.
Use flat nose pliers to turn the headpin at a right angle. Trim the headpin.

Use the round nose pliers to turn a loop and the wire ball bead is ready to be incorporated into your project.
Use the round nose pliers to turn a loop and the wire ball bead is ready to be incorporated into your project.

And here it is amongst all the pretty AB beads on my beaded chain.
Shiny, coiled wire beads and black bicone beads with an iris finish dangle in a bunch on a silver chain

Now I'm much happier with the way it looks.

Now, it's back to the production line for me - there is still much to do!

Pin it for later!
Make your own crazy wire coiled beads from wire inspiration sheet.


'Til next time.....








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