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.

Tools & Materials for Wire Wrapping

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.

Put beads on 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 head in plier

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

Bending the head pin.

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

Making the Ring

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

Complete the Ring

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.

Begin your wire wrap

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.

Ending your Wire Wrap

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

Tucking in the end

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.

7 Responses to “How to Do a Beaded Head Pin Wire Wrap”

  1. Rachel Says:

    Fabulous! I love these tutorials! I’ll be linking to this in the Weekend DIY Roundup!


  2. Thank you. I always appreciate the links.

  3. Peter Keller Says:

    Hi Perpetualplum. Thanks for the instructions. Some women in Gulu, Uganda have been making necklaces and bracelets from paper beads they make. They are beautiful and each is unique. Aid Africa recently sold some at the African Marketplace in L.A. Many buyers wanted earrings to go with their necklaces. So I’ve been looking at how they could do that. Your pictures are very clear and they will travel half way around the world to help poor people how to make a living.


  4. Thank you. I hope you can use the tutorial to make some jewelry sets. The photos are of my daughter doing a wire-wrap.


  5. [...] you’d like to make your own earrings, I have a tutorial on wire-wrapping headpins, How to Do a Beaded Head Pin Wire Wrap. Posted by perpetualplum Filed in 1 Tagged: jewelry, handmade, women, mom, mother, gold, [...]

  6. Jill Says:

    I took a class in this last summer but find your tutorial a great refresher. Easy to follow. Thanks!!!


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