Making Spiral Bead Caps

Beads With Hats?

I've always been stumped when it comes to using bead caps.

I have several different styles that I've collected over the years - mostly bali style sterling silver, but whenever I go to use them, they always end up looking strange to me.  

Like my beads are wearing little hats. Hats that don't fit right.

So, like most of my recent projects, I decided to tackle multiple demons with one projects - the problem of how to use bead caps and have them look good AND how to make bead caps with a wire spiral.

The picture of the carnelian bead is from a very old project of mine - a simple pair of earrings.  The individual components are all pretty - but together - ugh!

How to Make Perfect Wire Spirals for Jewelry

Spiraling Out of Control

I hate to start out with technical stuff, but I get confused pretty easily.  The first thing I wanted to do it get my terminology down.  

Every designer has the right to call things by whatever name they like, but when I see projects I often wonder

• Is a swirl different from a spiral, or are they the same things? 
• What about a flat coil?  Is it the same of different?

And I think I have the answers - at least grammatically and technically.

Loopy: DIY Handmade Jewelry Projects with Loops

Simple Loop Ring Free Tutorial

Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back?

I guess I took an unplanned break from my blog for the past couple of weeks to regroup.  I've still been making jewelry during my brief break, just not posting it while I was deciding what direction I wanted to explore next.


Before I jump into the next set of projects with free tutorials, I thought I'd give you a little insight into the method to my madness with respect to my jewelry making and the projects on my blog this year.

Teardrop Link Bracelet Chain with Handmade Clasp

Make, Modify, Repeat...

Today's bracelet project is a is a variation of the lucky horseshoe link chain tutorial that I published last month.

The horseshoe link bracelet has quickly become one of my favorites because it is pretty, comfortable and feels slinky when I wear it.

Once it was complete, I immediately starting thinking of new variations, including adding beads, using different size wire, and closing the links more.

Not long after I published my bracelet project, I saw this free handmade chain tutorial from Kia Dallons Studio on  Pinterest.  

I really like her design, and her method of construction is slightly different from the horseshoe link bracelet.   Because I am using thinner wire, I thought it made sense to adopt some of her techniques.

Copper Wire Flower Pendants

Flower Power

Just a little show and tell of copper wire flowers today.

Using the same technique from the four leaf clover pendant/clasp, I tried making wire flowers for my jewelry with 5 petals.


I used different types of pliers, different size wire and different techniques to make the petal shapes and flower centers.

Here are some of my results.