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I was a wrapped-loop purist until I met my buddy Jamie Hogsett.
Pre-Jamie, I strove to make sure all of my wrapped loops were perfectly
and neatly wrapped so that the wrap looked almost mechanical, like a coil
slipped onto wire.
But after hanging out with Jamie and seeing projects like her Twilight
Flight in her book, Create Jewelry: Stones, I woke up a little.
Post-Jamie, I realized that a “chunky” wrapped loop could be just the
thing for many projects, adding character and even more strength to a
connection. This somewhat unruly and bold way of making a loop gives
pieces a modern rustic look, drawing attention to itself rather than
hanging in the background as a regular old wrapped loop might do.
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I love it when I break through and learn new techniques like the chunky wrapped loop to add to my bag of tricks. I find myself looking high and low for them. Do you? If so, you don’t need to look too far for great wireworking inspiration.
Step by Step Wire Jewelry, a magazine packed full of beautiful wire and bead projects, can feed your appetite for new and unique wireworking techniques.
How to Make a Double-Wrapped LoopHere’s how Jamie taught me to form a chunky wrapped loop, a technique also known as a double-wrapped loop when you’re reading instructions.
I started my chunky wrapped-loop link with a regular wrapped loop so I could string a bead, leaving about 7” of tail wire on top of the bead.
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1: Use the tip of chain-nose pliers to grasp the wire right above the
bead. Form a 90° bend in the wire. |
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2: Use round-nose pliers to grasp the wire at the bend. Pull the tail
wire up and over the top of the pliers’ jaws. |
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3: Change the position of the pliers so the bottom jaw is in the loop. |
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4: Swing the tail wire under the pliers’ jaws. |
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5: Keep the tail wire horizontal as you coil it tightly down the neck
wire. |
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6: Instead of trimming as you would a regular wrapped loop, wrap the tail wire over
the previous wraps.
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7: Continue all the way up to the top loop. You could trim here for a double-wrapped loop or . . .
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8: . . . wrap back down the coils for a triple-wrapped loop. Flush
cut any extra tail wire and use chain-nose pliers to tuck the tail wire in. |
Do you use chunky wrapped loops? What kind of designs are they best for? Share your tips and tricks on
Beading Daily.