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Tips & Techniques

Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.

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Making a Memory Wire bracelet


About this Tip:

As a little kid, did you ever "wear" your Slinky on your wrist as a fashion statement? Well, this Memory Wire will bring you back to those days, but here we'll show you how to elevate it to adulthood. Time to get creative!


Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1:
Cut the length of Memory Wire you want for your bracelet. Do you want one wrap or several? Here's where you start!

Line up your cut with the wire's end-- this way your bracelet will appear to start and begin in the same place. This gives a nice finished appearance.

Be sure that you're using cutters built for such a sturdy/stiff wire. We recommend the Memory Wire cutters, because they are designed specifically for such a task.
Step 2:
Decide how you want to end your memory wire: glue on a Memory Wire end or create a loop. Using glue on your ends is a great option and might give you a more seamless look to your bracelet design. But I choose a loop in this example... It allows me more freedom to embellish the ends of my bracelet and you all know how I like to embellish :-)
Step 3:
String on you beads, finishing off your bracelet the same way that you started it (with either a wire end or a loop).

Alright, you're ready-- check out our selection of Memory Wire!

Designs using this Tip:




Read the comments (or add your own)

  1. Lynn Eileen Chicky LE
    Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:

    Beautiful bracelet, Ali — love the colors & design! I’ve used memory wire before & you explained its use perfectly! Thanks! :D

  2. No Photo
    P HOWARD says:

    Love this bracelet! The mixtures of colors,fibers,and charms are just awsome!!

  3. Granny Nancy
    Granny Nancy says:

    I love your bracelet. Just one question… I noticed the size indicated large and most other don’t indicate anything. Should we assume that most are for the average wrist, which is usually around 7.5″?

    Thanks, Granny

  4. No Photo
    Erin Sue says:

    Memory wire is highly addictive and should be used with caution….just sayin. :)

  5. Kate
    Kate says:

    Hi Granny! All the dimensions listed on these memory wires can get a little confusing to juggle. The one to pay attention to for wrist sizing is the Coil Dimension. With the “standard” you’ll see, for example, 1.75″-2.25″ which means it has an approximately 8″ circumference. The “large” has a coil of 2.25″-2.63″ which will come out to nearly 10″ circumference. Does that make sense?

  6. No Photo
    Jewelry Guy says:

    Beautiful! I like the idea of having a loop on the end. That would be a good spot to add a charm or two.

  7. Tigz
    Tigz says:

    Very inventive and look the unique feel to it

  8. Retro By Design
    Retro By Design says:

    Love your design & I love making these bracelets. So easy and u can make so many different designs. Thanks for.sharing

  9. Lily Cat
    Lily Cat says:

    Thanks, Ali!! It’s just beautiful!! I just made a memory wire bracelet for the first time and it came out great, except for the loops on the ends. I think they are too large. The wire is so hard to bend and I messed up the 2nd one I made cuz I bent the end up trying to make the loop! Is there an easier way to make the loop? I was using 24! Thanks for any input you can give me! You are really very innovative!!!!

  10. Ali
    Ali says:

    Wire-wrapping as a technique can take some time to fully master. Of course, it helps to have the right tools to start with! But getting a feel for metal working like this really does just take practice!!
    Here are a couple tutorials that could help get your wires workin’:
    http://www.limabeads.com/Wire-Wrap-a-Bail-on-a-Teardrop-T9
    http://www.limabeads.com/Wire-Wrapped-Cover-on-a-Teardrop-T10
    http://www.limabeads.com/Wire-Wrap-a-Charm-T11

  11. Evangelina
    Evangelina says:

    Very beautiful bracelet. :)
    I have a question….
    If you make the loop on the end before you put on the beads, that means the beads can fit over the loop. So wouldn’t the beads be able to fall off?

  12. C Helman
    C Helman says:

    I like the memory wire bracelet look. I’m supposing the loop on the end to start with keeps the beads on. Thanks for the motivating demo.

  13. DazzleBeads
    DazzleBeads says:

    Great explanation! I usually use bead caps but I think I will experiment with this method. I especially love the design, and I may mimic it in my trademark blues. browns, and greens.

  14. Granny Nancy
    Granny Nancy says:

    Hey Kate,

    Thanks for the response. I forgot to come back to look for one. I just copied your answer to save so I can refer to it and study on it. At 73 and a long time of being sick and caring for a sick husband, my brain tends not to be all that cooperative. They say to keep using it so as not to lose it totally. What better way than making jewelry…eh!

  15. Evangelina
    Evangelina says:

    Bracelet is so pretty. I keep looking at it every time I come on Lima Beads :)
    So pretty!

  16. No Photo
    GWENDOLINE c says:

    Hi, I just this site the ideas are great,it lovely the way you share the ideas with us all. what I want to know is what differents it makes as to what menorie wire you use if you are going to cover it with beads. Hope this makes sence , I am a beginner. thank you again

  17. No Photo
    Alem z says:

    i Really like bead work and all materials i want know more to learn how to make by wire and bead bracelet thank you

  18. motelprisoner
    motelprisoner says:

    Hi Gwendoline,I can answer your question. Most of the time it makes no difference which color wire to use, since you are covering it. The exceptions are when you “loop” the ends; you will see the wire color and you would want to consider color of wire blending with your chosen beads or embellishments on the loop. Also, I sometimes leave space on purpose between my beads if I particularly like the color/shine on my wire. Hope that helps answer your question.

  19. No Photo
    dutchyswife58 says:

    I’m new to jewelry making and have so much to learn. You mentioned using glue at the end of the bracelet as an alternative to loops. Could you please tell me what kind of glue is used to do this?

    Thank you.

  20. Kate
    Kate says:

    Dutchy– My favorites are the hypo cement or our very own LimaStudios epoxy: http://www.limabeads.com/Adhesives-C3769

  21. No Photo
    G Sanchez says:

    I am new to the jewelry making world & would love tips on selling my jewelry

  22. The Kooky Zone
    The Kooky Zone says:

    Beautiful colors for fall. inspiring too! I have memory wire now and have been picking beads and such!always nice to have a boost.

  23. nandddtkk54
    nandddtkk54 says:

    I am new to using Menory Wire but is there adifferences. Been the size of wire u use i have some Large Chrystals and the white doesn’t. Seem heavy enough to hoid up got at Micheal’s craft store. See some in Pinterest they look so Great. Need help

  24. No Photo
    Natalie R says:

    Beautiful! I am wondering – why would I buy oval v.s. round memory wire for bracelets? Do you have a preference? Thanks!

  25. Beauty Earth
    Beauty Earth says:

    Have been experimenting with memory wire off and on. Got frustrated becs. bracelets I made looked like my wrist was pinched when I wore them. Then…discovered memory wire comes in sizes!! Also, discovered diff. weights for the “wire”, which really changed how bracelets fit. Anyway, actually made one I wear, and like! Here’s pic. of it “under construction”.

    Attachment

  26. No Photo
    G Thomas says:

    I’m new to beading and had a disaster with looming my clasps came apart.
    So I thought memory wire would be easier for my grandchildren! Silly question I know but do I have to stretch the wire at all for different size wrists ie: child to adult only have seen it for sale and it all seems same size.
    Told you I was new to this

  27. No Photo
    Kumali Z says:

    i LOVE THE MEMORY WIRE BRACELETS.

    Attachment

  28. J Cossin
    J Cossin says:

    I just made my 1st Memory Wire bracelet! I love it, its super easy! Your right about the addicting part! I can’t stop thinking about how many coils to make the next one! Thank You!

    Attachment

  29. No Photo
    Scotti C says:

    I love making and selling memory wire bracelets. I advertise them as “One Size Fits Most.” I have a customer who loves to order them from me. I use “Large” memory wire coils. She recently showed me where a bracelet I made for her now had gaps of wire between a few of the beads. At first I thought maybe some beads had broken and come off, but now I think it’s just that she stretched the bracelet to fit her arm, stretching it out to the point that the beads no longer cover all of the wire. Does that make sense? I opened the bracelet up and added a couple of beads to it to fix the problem, but is there anything else I could do before I send a bracelet to a customer to prevent this (I can’t imagine what…)

  30. No Photo
    MrsBaum says:

    Good morning all, hoping to learn from everyone here. I love beads, and am hoping to sell my jewelry one day. Question: what thickness of beading wire do you all recommend?

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