Past tip of the month - Beading projects

		January 2003 Tip of the Month   Wire work basics If you'd like to get started with wire, you will want to invest in the following supplies: Round nose pliers Chain nose pliers - flat in the middle Silver or Gold wire - I like 20 and 22 gauge the best.  Do not buy the colored type sold on a spool, it's used for jig work and is not suitable for the how-to's I have included.  In addition, there are different hardness levels: half hard, full hard, etc., but most wire sold at bead stores in packages will work fine. Soft wire cutters - I prefer a tapered nose so that it's easier to work in tight areas Ear wires or Lever-backs and Headpins - for earrings When buying tools I highly recommend investing in those that are spring loaded so that they return open after you squeeze them.  This will save you time, frustration, and hand fatigue. Depending on what you plan on making, you may want to start by practicing with a cheap spool of thin copper wire that you can find at a hardware store.  I did this for a day or so until I got the hang of wire basics, and it saved me money on quality wire. Wire wrapping is fairly simple and allows you to be as creative as you want.  It does take practice so don't be discouraged if your design isn't as perfect as you'd like on the first try. Earrings Start with a headpin, which looks like a thin nail with a flat head on one end.  String desired beads onto the open end and bend the pin with chain nose pliers (or your fingers depending on the thickness of the headpin), at a 90-degree angle as close to the top bead as possible.    Now grab the bent end of the pin with round nose pliers close to the end of the nose and create a loop in the pin.  You can do this by holding the beads still with one hand and rolling the wire around the pliers with the other.  Once you have a loop, make sure it's straight and cut the excess.  The loop does not have to be perfectly round, but it should not be tipped, tipping will cause the beads to dangle improperly.   Twist the end open (Important - don't open the loop back up!), slide the headpin into the hole on an ear wire or lever-back and twist the pin closed to complete.  Tip: You can use this twisting technique with jump rings so that they maintain their round shape.   Looped Bracelet/Chain If you can create a loop in a head pin, then you can create a double loop.  Several double ended loops can be used in bracelets, necklaces, etc.    You will need silver or gold wire for this project, 20 gauge is probably a good choice.  Make sure that if you've purchased by the hardness that you are not working with at least half-hard or your design will easily pull apart.   Begin by snipping a small section of wire off of the main bundle; you may want to start with as little as 1" depending on the beads you intend to use.  Straighten the wire and create a loop in one end as described above in the Earrings section.  String your beads onto the wire and proceed to create a second loop in the opposite end; make sure that the two ends are parallel when you are done.  Now create several additional sections via the same means, then twist open one end of each section to connect them together, forming a chain.    Once you've got the basic chain made, you can complete the loop with a toggle or other type of clasp to complete.  These chains can be used to create bracelets, necklaces, bottle drapes, etc.....     Wrapped Loop Sections Once you've mastered looped chain sections, you may want to try wrapping each end of the section.  This is a quick way to make stronger and more decorative sections.    Begin by cutting and straightening a length of wire several inches long.  Create a loop at one end, leaving a wire "tail" long enough to hang on to while wrapping.  After creating the loop, grasp the loop with pliers and the "tail" with your other hand.  Hold the looped end steady and proceed to wrap the tail around the straight end of the wire, keeping each successive wrap tight and close to the last.  When you have completed the desired number of wraps, snip the "tail" and place your bead(s) on the open end.    Complete the second wrapped end by leaving a small amount of room for the wrapped section between the loop and the bead.  The bead will slide back and forth a bit, but once you've wrapped it will tighten up.  Complete the wire wrap for this end as you did for the first.   Remember that you must connect each section as you complete them, or you will have to connect the sections via jump rings.  I've wasted a lot of wire by forgetting to connect the loops prior to wire wrapping!   Other ideas for looped sections: - Connect the sections with jump-rings then connect a dangle bead from the jump ring.  You can add the dangle bead by using a headpin.  Your beads should look like this:    - Connect the looped sections to necklace chain, which can be purchased by the inch at most bead shops.  You can also alternate looped sections with chain to create a store-bought look.   - Instead of snipping the excess wire after wrapping, create a spiral and snug it to the bead on that section.   Connectors/Clasps You can incorporate a lot of creativity into the formation of clasps.  I've made several different types, including the following:  Figure 8  U Shape  S shape with curls