Daily Wire Tip Apr. 29: Wrapping Coins for Jewelry

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
April 29, 2011

Question:

I have several coins I would like to make a wire frame for so I can make necklaces out of them. I would like to keep it simple and easy to do!! Thanks!

-Glenda in Madisonville, Texas

Answer:

Hi Glenda, coin jewelry has been popular since coinage began! I think that using wire to make the frame is a smart choice, because the actual coin is not damaged by drilling a hole in it or cutting parts of the coin out.

Here are my solutions to this challenge. You could use a simple Frame Design, similar to making a pendant frame for a cabochon, and you could actually attach a number of these wrapped coins to a linked chain (great bracelet idea). On the linked DVD, although the sample piece is an irregular cabochon, you will be able to make almost anything into a pendant, because all of my formulas for sizing are included!

Dale’s Reversible Coin Pendant

If a coin is very special and has a cool design on both sides, a Reversible Coin Pendant is a very cool way to be able to wear either side of the coin showing.

When making a frame for a coin, I like to use a ring mandrel handy for the basic shaping. Just remember not to make the frame “skin tight”, because it will tighten nicely around the coin when the top and bottom wires are pulled to lock it into the frame.

Here’s another artist’s take on the Sacajawea coin in 14kt gold filled wire, by Christine Hurd of Out of Hand in Nevada:

Pendant measures 2″ x 1 1/8″. Image used with permission.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Tagged with:cabochon frame, coin, wire frame, wire wrapped coins, wire wrapping, wrap coins

Filed under:Daily Wire Jewelry Tips‚ Project Help‚ Technique Tips‚ Wire & Wire Wrapping

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