You'll need the following:
1 loop of bracelet size memory wire
wire (I used 26 gauge magenta Colour Craft® wire.)
15 6mm beads (I used hematite.)
round-nosed pliers
flat-nosed pliers
wire cutters
nylon nosed pliers
1. Start my using round-nosed pliers to make a small loop on one end of your memory wire.
2. Then take the colored wire (keeping it on the spool), and wrap a few times around the memory wire. I actually placed a small amount of the colored wire flat up against the memory wire and then wrapped the colored wire around itself to help secure it against the memory wire.
3. Slip on a bead, and then wrap the colored wire over the bead.
4. Wrap some of the colored wire again around the memory wire. I wrapped about 5 times.
6. When you get to about ½ inch away from the end of the memory wire, make a few wraps and then use round-nosed pliers to make another curl.
I chose to make this into a cuff style bracelet, but obviously, you could make it longer so that it wraps around your wrist or even do this with necklace size memory wire. While the 26-gauge wire worked well and was easy to handle with my fingers, I think a thicker wire could work well and perhaps show up better, such as a 22 gauge. Also, if I make any more of these, I will probably use beads whose color contrasts more to the wire, so this is something to consider when you try this project.
Here's a printer friendly copy of this file.
All graphics created by Tammy Powley.
