Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “Make a Wire Wrapped Bead Link”:“I was trained to use a pair of chain nose pliers to manipulate the wire being…” read »
on “Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings”:“I agree -- E6000 is the absolute best!…” read »
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“I don't use epoxy on any of the jewelry I make, plus depending on the temperature…” read »
- on “Using Vintaj Patinas”:
“I just taught a class with middle school children and one painted on a silver piece…” read »
on “Adding a Focal to Patricia Healey Chain”:“Absolutely Gorgeous! I can't wait to use this!…” read »
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“This is great! My mom didn't know what to do with my thick curly hair so…” read »
- on “Using the Sliding Square Knot”:
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- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I want to string the wool beads together with elastic thread in a needle. Which…” read »
on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:“Love the instructions, but which stretch cord are you using? I don't see one like it…” read »
- on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:
“No photo, sorry. I'm really in a bracelet "phase". I tried figuring this out on my…” read »
on “Using Colourful Soul Jewelry Pop-Outs & Ultimate Paints”:“Vintaj came out with this line in July. I am glad to see LB is selling…” read »
on “Using Colourful Soul Jewelry Pop-Outs & Ultimate Paints”:“*Squeaks with excitement* …” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“You carry the most beautiful beads, bar none. I tie a surgeon’s knot for more security,…” read »
- on “Using Vintaj Patinas”:
“Has anyone tried to use the patinas on coins?…” read »
- on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“Where can we buy the magic finding. It is not in your product list.…” read »
- on “Quick and Easy Ornament Hangers”:
“These are so pretty. I've been looking for a "template" for ear wires/cuffs. I think these…” read »
- on “Hammering Texture on a Blank”:
“Do you sell textured hammers and blocks I can't find?…” read »
on “Using a Hand Punch”:“Can I use it to open holes in Saint medals???…” read »
on “Using a Leather Cord Crimp End”:“A good starting point for necklaces would be 2mm(ideal for .5"-1.5" pendants). For larger pendants(1.5"+) 3,…” read »
on “Using a Crimp Cover”:“To cover a sz 2 crimp tube, 4mm would be ideal. 3mm would fit, but it…” read »
- on “Using a Leather Cord Crimp End”:
“Hi, I am new to working with leather and end caps or any other finishing findings,…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“What size of a crimp cover would you use, for a size 2 crimp tube?…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“Excellent tutorial and superb photos. Cute bracelet!…” read »
- on “Coloring Metal with Alcohol Inks”:
“I just started working with alcohol inks. Most people who use the medium use Krylon Kamar…” read »
on “Crystal Clay”:“Tried to be good…” read »
- on “Non-Identical Twins”:
“I have always loved this idea! It really resonates with me. Interesting to see…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“I, too, need to know how to attach a tassel to the guru bead.…” read »
- on “Wire Wrap a Bail on a Teardrop”:
“thank you. I've always wanted to try this…” read »
on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:“I made one bracelet for my granddaughter and one for myself. They are easy and…” read »
on “How to make a paper bead”:“Interesting that paper beads are "in" again... Nearly 50 years ago, crafters (including my grandma) were…” read »
- on “Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings”:
“Because of the constant abuse they usually get, glue is not an ideal hold for jump…” read »
- on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“Moogie is right, if you need an answer from Lima you'll need to use the customer…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I’ve read in other tutorials to cut the elastic cord length needed and lightly pull each…” read »
- on “Using the Square Knot”:
“Perfect illustration and instruction for a knot-challenged brain …” read »
on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:“These look like fun to make bracelets, and even more fun to wear.…” read »
- on “Using Lillypilly Metal Sheets & Discs”:
“I completely fell in love with the color of these little LillyPilly sheets and ordered my…” read »
on “The Simple Wire Bracelet”:“Nice tutorial. For me, I would need more visual. The camera needs to be closer…” read »
- on “How to set a Nunn Design Glass Dome”:
“Beautiful design!…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Tip:If I have miss judged my project, I have found I can use a crimp cover…” read »
About this Tip:
Enjoy wire wrapping? Here's a "messier" take on wire wrapping a bail that creates a cone on a teardrop.
Components:
The products featured in this tip are listed below.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: Cut enough wire and string it through your teardrop. I sometimes wrap a piece of string around the teardrop to approximate the length of wire I’ll need. |
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Step 2: Bend wire with your fingers at both ends of hole and cross wire ends over each other. You want one longer end and one end that is only about 1.5” long. |
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Step 3: Using your chain nose pliers bend the longer end so that it points straight up. |
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Step 4: Using your chain nose pliers, grip both ends of wire just below where they cross, so that they can be secure while you wrap the shorter end. Wrap the shorter end twice around the longer end beginning at the bend to look like a coil. Using your wire cutters, cut the piece you just wrapped close the coil. |
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Step 5: Bend the wire at a 90-degree angle up from the coil. |
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Step 6: While keeping your grip with the round nose pliers, wrap the wire over the top round nose. |
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Step 7: Begin wrapping around... |
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Step 8: … and around and around until you get to just below the drill hole on the bead. You can do this perfect and neat or a bit messy if you prefer. |
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Step 9: Remove your wire cutters and snip the wire, leaving a bit to bend with your chain nose pliers. |
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Step 10: Using your chain nose pliers, tuck the small, bent end back up into the wrapping. |
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Step 11: Here is a finished example of a messier wire wrapped cap bail on a teardrop. |
Designs using this Technique:
Buy Products from this Technique
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On Jun 04, 2011 at 5:38 pm #
Steve says:I love this one! That messy wire wrapping is a cool touch.
On Aug 12, 2011 at 12:36 pm #
Joann B says:Liked the tutorial but one problem I have is having enough space between the wire and the stone to tuck it in after completing the wrap. I tried but it made the wrap uncoil.
On Aug 15, 2011 at 6:31 pm #
Jewelry by Shannon says:Joann B, you could also finish the end by bringing the wire diagonally across the recently wrapped section, hold it with your thumb and wrap it around the very top of the loop formed at the top. Trim the loose end and you are set … no need try to tuck in the loose end! SLS
On Oct 04, 2011 at 3:15 am #
juku7 says:I like that idea, Shannon
On Oct 06, 2011 at 8:17 pm #
ZUBEAJAY says:personally, i dont like the messy look, though i know its popular right now. and to me this style covers up too much of the stone.
On Oct 15, 2011 at 7:21 am #
celticivy says:I’m in the same boat as Zubeajay, I understand it’s become popular, I remember seeing the style and I made a face and went ”eeeewwwwww’
On Jan 05, 2012 at 1:43 pm #
Nancy Mc says:Thanks Shannon! Wire tucking is a killer! Kudos to the people who have mastered it tho. :+)
On Mar 20, 2012 at 12:42 pm #
M Clevenger says:How do we know how much wire is “enough”? Also, what guage are they using? The supply list says 20, but it sure doesn’t look like 20 in the photos.
On May 05, 2013 at 12:35 am #
K rode says:I like the messy version and the regular one depending on the look of the piece. I have not mastered the wire tuck so I just wrap up to topand around again.
Fun!!
On May 13, 2013 at 12:10 pm #
Kate says:Looks great, KRode!
On Nov 03, 2015 at 1:20 pm #
RonnyJ says:I like the idea, but prefer a neat wrap. Wire tucking is a real bear, so I would do the wrap, go up diagonal and around, then make the bail loop and use the excess to hide the tail of the wrap.
On Jul 05, 2019 at 11:08 pm #
blpward says:I like the messy look! I think it’s a lot more fun to create whimsical piece! That’s a beautiful stone and the wire color against the stone looks great.
I can’t tuck wire that way either. If it was an 18 gauge wire I might have ended with a little swirl.
Nice work!!