Easy to Make Wire Framed Bead Dangles, Free Step by Step, DIY

I was framed

This is another technique that I use to make bead dangles when I either can't find the headpins or want something that has a little more pizzazz.

In a previous post, I shared the technique I use to create the green bead dangle without headpins.  It's hard to see from the picture below, but the wrap goes on one side of the bead giving an asymmetric look or the ability to hide the wrap on the back side of a piece.

This technique is a variation and results in a fully framed bead dangle.  It's perfect for earrings, drops on bracelets, simple pendants or inc - depending on the bead you choose.

I find this technique works best for round, faceted, rondelle and drop beads - but if you have a tight wrap technique, it can work for flat, pillow or oddly shaped nuggets too.  It just has to hold the bead snugly and prevent it from turning inside the frame.

Step by Step:

Start with a wrapped loop.  If you are adding the bead to a closed loop or chain, make sure you add it before you wrap the loop. (As if I don't do that all the time!)

Wrap the wire around the bead snugly until you get to the top of the bead.

Continue to wrap the wire all the way around the bead making sure you are keeping the wire taut and snug on the bead.  Pass the wire in front of the wire coming out the bottom of the bead.

The wire will fully encircle the bead and hide where the wire exits the bead on the bottom.

Wrap the wire tail around the wrapped stem, starting at the base near the bead and wrapping towards the loop.

A nice finished bead drop for all of your creations!

And you don't need to stop at one wrap around the bead.  Sometimes, I make two wraps around giving a thicker bezel look to the bead.

I recommend you use soft wire.  It holds the shape of the bends better and doesn't spring away from the bead like half hard can.

In case you missed it, the technique for the green bead, which is a half wrapped bead can be found here: Wire Wrapped Dangles without Using Headpins.

Are you looking for more free jewelry tutorials?  

I have a Free Jewelry Tutorials Pinterest Board with lots and lots and lots of them - including tutorials for bead weaving, metal forging, wire wrapping, polymer clay, resin and basically any other way you can make jewelry.

Take a look and follow my board if you like what you see.  I add to it all the time.