Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
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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
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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.
On Jan 29, 2023 at 3:26 am #
Wild Mustard says:I was trained to use a pair of chain nose pliers to manipulate the wire being wrapped around the round nose pliers. I have at times just used my fingers to do this, but using the other pair of pliers helps me keep the tension and the wrapping consistent. The chain nose pliers are also extremely useful for tucking in the last tail of the wire after it has been cut.