How to Do a Beaded Head Pin Wire Wrap

 I was teaching my youngest how to do a wire-wrap for some jewelry she was making.  Since other people have requested wire wrapping instructions,  I decided to take some photos and write a short tutorial.

I pulled out two of my most commonly used pliers. On the right is an inexpensive ring pliers. On the left is a very nice jeweler’s pliers. The inside of my jeweler’s pliers is smooth so that I don’t mar my head pin.

When I add a large bead onto a head pin I often put a seed bead at the end. The seed bead keeps the big bead from slipping off the head pin.

Hold the head pin with your jeweler’s pliers right up next to the end of the bead.

Bend the head pin at a 90 degree angle over the top of the pliers

Place the ring pliers so that the two prongs are pinching the wire at the bend in the wire. Pull the wire over the top of the top prong of the pliers

Pull the wire clear around the bottom prong of the pliers. You will probably have to adjust your pliers to pull the wire clear around the bottom prong of the pliers.

Put the ring pliers through the ring you just made. Grab the end of the head pin with your jeweler’s pliers and begin wrapping the wire below the ring.

When you have wrapped as much of the wire as you can, you will probably have a little bit of an end left.

I use the tip of my jeweler’s pliers to bend that wire end around the stem just below my last round of wire-wrapping.  If your wire is flexible, you’ll be able to reshape your loop and wire-wrap a little after you are done.

It may take a little practise to make perfectly lined up wire-wraps.  Once you’ve become proficient, you’ll be well on your way to making wonderful bracelets, necklaces and earrings.