How to Create a Wire Bail for a Marble

To make a bail for a flat piece of irregularly shaped beach glass, I made a small spiral at both ends of a piece of wire, leaving enough straight wire in between the spirals to bend it in the middle and glue one spiral to each side of the glass. When dried, I slid the chain under the wire at the bend (leave a gap big enough for chain or string). Just be careful to use a tiny dot of glue on each spiral so it doesn't seep out and show.--Kelli P., Pure Bliss Jewelry

A variation of Jean's and Kelli's designs for round objects that does not require glue, is to start as Jean does, then instead of cutting off the spiral, with the object in place, swirl the wire acoss the object and down to the bottom, then start a second sprial from the outside , working in toward the center.  The object can be removed to complete the spiral, the inserted and the wire tightened to make an open work double cap.  Another method is to create a wire cage (there are many styles possible), insert the object and then bring the wires together so the object cannot fall out.  I also often wrap irregular or hole-less items with a woven wire mesh around enough of the edge to be secure, or an interesting and irregular wire wrap -- just enough to secure the item without obscuring it.  Meshes in particular can be beaded in very intriquing ways, but I have even added a contrast bead, charm or other item to large objects wrapped with minimal wire.  Beth U., Beth's Baubles

Just before my dad passed away I was given all his jewelry making things.  He used to tumble stones also for necklaces and other things. I have the stones he tumbled and was wondering what and how to deal with them.  He had drilled some but most are not drilled.  

Thank you everyone.

I love both of these ideas!!!  About the only thing I've mastered with wireworking are spirals, (stringing and stitching have my heart) so this is do-able for me.  Thanks for giving me the trick to finallly utilize my pretty stash of holeless baubles!

What a great tip. I also had lots of marbles and no idea what to do with them! Thanks to Kelly's tip, I won't have to drill holes in my beach glass anymore. Thak you.

This is what I have been looking for to wrap stones..most are not even but with the shape of this bail..that should not be a problem..Thanks for the many ideas and hints I have found in your newsletters..I am a newbe but want to get started in making jewelry soon..

Cathy