How to Make a Memory Wire Bracelet – Video Tutorial
Here’s a video tutorial for making a memory wire bracelet. I love “instant gratification” projects, and this style of jewelry fits the bill nicely! It’s quick, easy and fun, and also requires few tools.
What is Memory Wire?
Memory wire is called such because it’s a hard wire that retains its shape very well. Typically it’s made from steel of some type and has lots of spring to it.
Because it’s a hard, springy wire, it doesn’t deform easily. This means threethings:
- It won’t collapse on your wrist.
- It’s harder to manipulate to make end loops.
- To cut the wire, you need a wire cutter specially made doe cutting memory wire.
However, it doesn’t mean you can’t make end loops; only that you have to put a little more effort into it to close the loop. (But the good news is that you only need to make simple loops, and don’t have to wrap the ends on the bracelet.)
I want to emphasize that you really do need a pair of wire cutters that is designed to be used with memory wire. This stuff is really hard, and I guarantee you will damage your regular wire cutters if you try them. (Yes, I disregarded the warning the first time…and yes, I trashed that pair of wire cutters.)
Memory Wire Video Tutorial – How to Make a Bracelet
In order to make the bracelet you see to your left, you will need the following supplies:
- Memory wire in a bracelet size. (It comes in a package of between 25 and 100 “rounds”, and there are two sizes for bracelets, small and large — choose whatever is best for you.)
- A selection of beads in various sizes. In the example I have fire polished beads of different shapes, crystal pearls and some Czech round beads.
- Size 8 seed beads, your choice of color. I used a permanently galvanized silver color.
- Memory wire cutter.
- Pair or round nose pliers.
Note:Â If you want to make the dangles, you’ll also need two headpins (2 or 3 inches) and perhaps another pair of flat or chain nose pliers for the wrapped loops on the headpins.
Update: One of my readers mentioned something that I should have talked about in the video, so I wanted to make a quick note. When you’re making the wrap bracelet, it’s best to make your wrap at least 1.5 times around your wrist, for security. I used very lightweight beads in my demo, but if you use heavier beads, please think of cutting the memory wire so that it wraps at least twice. (Thanks, Maria!)
And remember to check out some related tutorials! They include the wrapped loops, simple loop bracelet tutorials. (And of course don’t forget the projects page for more advanced work.)
Enjoy! 🙂
Video Tutorial – Simple Loops Bracelet
This is a video tutorial on how to make a simple loops bracelet with beads. It’s a quick and easy project, and it’s also a lot of fun!
What Are Simple Loops?
Simple loops are circular loops made around a pair of pliers which aren’t wrapped; this means you can open and close them easily. They are great for earrings, necklaces and (of course) bracelets!
There are some things you need to know about beforehand, though, so read on through this page before getting started.
Wire and Wire Gauge
In the tutorial, you will see that I made the simple loops bracelet using dead soft 20 gauge wire in red brass. It’s an inexpensive wire, and it’s relatively stiff, which makes it great for learning and for fun jewelry. You can also use copper, regular brass or artistic wire to practice your simple loops.
However, if you are using sterling or gold-filled wire, I would suggest either using half-hard in 20 gauge, or move up in thickness to 18 gauge. This is because since the loops aren’t wrapped, they could loosen if you are rough with your bracelets (like me, LOL).
If you can’t locate half-hard wire, you can work-harden it yourself by running a length of wire through a cloth, your fingers or a pair of nylon-jawed pliers. Run the wire through your cloth/fingers/pliers at least 7 times to make it harder.
Equipment and the Tutorial
To make this bracelet, you’ll also need the following equipment — round nose pliers, chain or flat nosed pliers and flush cut pliers. Oh, and beads as well as a clasp. 🙂
I hope you enjoy watching how to make simple loops, and using them to make a bracelet. Remember to check out my project page, as well as some more tutorials below. Have fun!
How to Make Beaded Earring Findings – Video Tutorial
If you want to know how to make beaded earring findings, I’ve got you covered. In this video tutorial I will show you how to make these earring findings with wire, and with whatever beads you want to use!
Earring Style
The style of these earrings is called several names. In the tutorial, I refer to them as “shepherd’s hook”, but they are also known as fish hook and french hook earrings.
But it doesn’t really matter what you call them — they are pretty by any name!
Wire Wrap – What Wire to Use?
In making these earrings using a “wire wrap” or “wirework” technique, wire does matter. While how the wire looks is one consideration, things like gauge, material and hardness do come into play when making these.
In the video tutorial, I used 20 gauge wire. It was silver-colored artistic wire, which is great for learning the technique. Copper and red brass are also good alternatives for learning.
Once you are comfortable with making the findings, you will probably want to make them in sterling silver, silver-filled, gold-filled or niobium, as these are the metals that are far less likely to have an allergic effect.
(The photo at the top of the page are findings made from sterling silver.)
When it comes to gauge, 20 is pretty good. It’s stiff enough (even in dead soft) to hold it’s shape well, while soft enough to manipulate easily. If the wire is really soft (copper or fine silver), you may want to use half-hard. Or, you can work-harden the wire a bit before you start forming the earrings.
I see a lot of these style earrings for sale in 21, 22 and 24 gauge. If you have really small holes, you can go 22 gauge, but you’ll need either full-hard wire or do some work hardening beforehand.  I don’t recommend 24 gauge — it’s just too thin, unless you are using something like stainless steel.
And you can certainly go for a thicker wire (19 or 18 gauge), if your earring holes will comfortably accommodate them.
Beads and Sizes
As far as the beads go, it’s pretty much whatever you want. I suggest that you stay between 2 mm and 4mm in size, for comfort and weight sake.
I personally like the Swarovski crystal pearls and bicones for my beads. They come in so many colors, in both 3mm and 4mm sizes that it’s easy to coordinate with your earring dangles, like in the photo with the pearls.
Video Tutorial
You’ll see a little video screen; click on it and it expands to regular size. Then all you need to do is watch the video!
Don’t forget to check out some of my other video tutorials — the links are below.  Remember my jewelry projects, too. Enjoy!
