Make a Wire Wrapped Spirals Wire Wrap Bead Jewelry

Spirals can be an intricate part of your wire jewelry or just an add-on for dimension and texture. These directions will show you how to wire wrap a tight spiral, also called a closed spiral, and a loose spiral, also called an opened spiral.

How to Make a Closed Wire Spiral

1.) Using a 3-inch piece of wire, 20 gauge or heavier, cut your end flush.

2.) Grasp the very end of the wire with the tip of your round nose pliers and turn your wrist to start a tight loop.

3.) Grasp the loop with flat nose or chain nose pliers. Using your thumb push the wire around so that it touches the loop and making a quarter turn. Re-grasp the loop and repeat.

4.) Once you go 3 times around(or as many as you need), bend the wire at a 90 degree angle, trim and make a loop.

make wire wrapped swirl
Notes: The gauge of wire can be smaller, but you will have to work harden the piece. You will want to use a tool that is protective of the wire so that you get few scratches and marks.

Directions for this Tutorial:

How to Make an Open Wire Spiral

1.) Using a 3-inch piece of wire, 20 gauge or heavier, cut your end flush.
2.) Grasp the very end of the wire with a midpoint in your round nose pliers and turn your wrist to start an open loop.

3.) Grasp the loop with flat nose or chain nose pliers. Using your thumb push the wire around, be sure that there is a gap between the wire and the loop, try to maintain an even space. Keep going at quarter turn intervals. This takes practice, do not start with your good silver wire.
4.) Once you go 3 times around(or as many as you need), bend the wire at a 90 degree angle, trim and make a loop.
Note: You’ll need to work harden the open wire spiral or it will bend up in your pieces.