Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “DIY Pom-Poms”:“Hi....my question is in regards to the ring used.....what is the gauge...or do you have it…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Great tutorial, looks easy. Now I want to try it. Thanks Ali.…” read »
- on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“Good morning all, hoping to learn from everyone here. I love beads, and am hoping to…” read »
on “The Simple Wire Bracelet”:“I'M HAVING A PROBLEM KEEPING THE WIRE PROTECTOR IN PLACE ...USING ECONOFLEX NYLON COATED .019IN. WIRE.CAN.T…” read »
- on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“I love making and selling memory wire bracelets. I advertise them as "One Size Fits Most."…” read »
- on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“I have seen the crimp beads here made in gold plated brass, which are much cheaper…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“I've made a lot of these...using gemstones & Fireline doubled (2 strands). Gemstones are very hard…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I used the elastic cord for awhile,but switched to the nylon cord for more strength(.05mm),because my…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“I like the crimp tubes better than the beads,myself,and use a crimp cover closer to give…” read »
- on “Making a Shamballa Bracelet”:
“What kind of glue is being used in this project?…” read »
on “Using a Crimp Cover”:“Great advice! I’ve been doing it wrong for so long and getting so frustrated and wasting…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“B Tuttle - ibuse Fireline on a regular. It’s durable and can stand the pulling…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“Gabriele P: the stretch cording comes in black and clear. They used black here.…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“best tutorial I've read in a long time. i'll be making some tonight!…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I enjoy the tutorials.…” read »
on “Wire Wrapped Cover on a Teardrop”:“I like the messy look! I think it's a lot more fun to create whimsical piece!…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“What about fireline? I know that the colors are not as plentiful as all the others.…” read »
on “Finishing Large Acrylic Chain”:“I love those! Thanks!…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“The stretch material used in this tutorial doesn’t seem like the one listed. Can someone please…” read »
- on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“After watching the videos, I decided to purchase tool and components and try it myself. A…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Yikes, I’m having the worst time trying to string that 20mm African turquoise guru bead. This…” read »
on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:“They don’t carry it anymore:(…” read »
- on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:
“How can I buy the bezel tag? I cannot find it on your site! …” read »
- on “Making a Fish Tail Braid”:
“Wonderfully easy to follow tutorial! Love the design results! Will be trying this knot.…” read »
- on “Making a Shamballa Bracelet”:
“Does the cord used have to be Chinese Knotting Cord or would C-Lon work?…” read »
- on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:
“Love the idea, where can I find the bezel tag. Every time I search for bezel…” read »
- on “Preparing and Using Resin”:
“Please try using customer service to ask your questions!…” read »
- on “Preparing and Using Resin”:
“I want to dispense resin into small jewelry molds to look like real jewels, is there…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Thank you, thank you thankyou!! It took a bit of wiggling the needle around to go…” read »
on “How to Prevent Bubbles in Your Resin”:“Great tip. Do you have any tips for Doming?…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Yes! Your advice is totally on the mark. Crimp tubes are a thousand times better than…” read »
- on “How to set a Nunn Design Glass Dome”:
“Are the coloured glass domes actually available to sell on lima beads? I can't imagine…” read »
- on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“Love the inked cork cord ideas! I just signed up for your newsletter. I read some…” read »
on “D.I.Y. Tassels”:“Tassels always add a "je ne sais quoi" to ANY piece of jewelry, whether made of…” read »
- on “Using the Square Knot”:
“Thank you for this video!!!…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“For those of you that noted your crimp BEADS seem to slip. I had the…” read »
on “How to use Katiedid components”:“Interesting tool…” read »
- on “Using Collapsible Beading Needles”:
“Where can I find a photo of the finished project? I like the colors and elements.…” read »
- on “Using Collapsible Beading Needles”:
“Nice design. Thank you. Do you have a video showing HOW you got all those threads…” read »
- on “Make a Bolo Necklace”:
“THANKS FOR ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS AND IDEAS,SOON I'LL BE SHARING A FEW OF MY…” read »
About this Tip:
This technique explains how to take a bead from your stash and wire wrap a link on each side.
Components:
The products featured in this tip are listed below.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: Start by cutting the right length wire. I typically find that a good rule of thumb is to have 2 inches of wire on each side of your bead (4” total) plus the length of the bead. Bend your wire at a 90-degree angle approximately 1.5” down from one end. |
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Step 2: While keeping your grip with the round nose pliers, wrap the wire over the top round nose. |
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Step 3: Pull across longer wire. |
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Step 4: Wrap wire around longer wire 2 times creating a coil. |
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Step 5: Cut end with wire cutters. |
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Step 6: String a bead. |
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Step 7: Bend the wire at a 90-degree angle just above the bead. I use the length of the plier nose – this length typically equals 2 wire wraps. |
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Step 8: While keeping your grip with you pliers, wrap the wire over the top round nose. |
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Step 9: Pull across longer wire and wrap wire around approximately 2 times creating a coil until you hit the link. Both sides should have the same number of wraps. |
Designs using this Technique:
Buy Products from this Technique
You are viewing all 4 items.
| 15 yd. spool | $4.40 |
You are viewing all 4 items.
On Jun 05, 2011 at 3:46 pm #
queenie50cat says:As a newbie trying to learn this wire wrapping skill-this is one of the more detailed pictured instructions that I have seen, thank you.
On Jun 05, 2011 at 5:40 pm #
Anita C aka PirateChick says:This is a slightly different technique than the one I’ve learned. This technique looks like it will be sturdier for larger, heavier beads.
On Jun 06, 2011 at 4:46 am #
iliea says:Thanks for the demo! i’m looking forward to more!
On Jun 06, 2011 at 10:17 am #
L Dunson says:A pearl bracelet I made for my sister. She loved this on and all the rest of them too.
On Jul 22, 2011 at 11:54 am #
E Mizerk says:Hi,
I don’t know what kind of wire to use. Hard? Soft? What gauge? You make it looks so nice, but I don’t not have the same results!
On Jul 22, 2011 at 11:56 am #
E Mizerk says:Oh my gosh, if I’d have scrolled down a little I would have seen you listed the wire!
Thanks!
On Aug 28, 2011 at 9:40 am #
H Boyd says:You make it look so easy, I’m definitely going to try it now.
On Sep 20, 2011 at 10:08 pm #
S Wagner says:Totally diffrent from other instructions, looks easier, will give it a try.
On Oct 04, 2011 at 3:10 am #
juku7 says:I usually make the loops after stringing the bead. Will try this technique.
On May 08, 2012 at 10:18 am #
M Scharf says:I recently bought stones in AZ that are polished and don’t have beading holes. I’ve been trying to learn to wrap them…very unsuccessfully. Help! I’d hoped this tutorial would help, but they have holes. Do you have wire bales for sale that would allow me to simply slip the stone in it? Mary
On Apr 23, 2013 at 9:35 pm #
Elisa W says:Thank you.
E.W.