Two-tone Beaded Bangle

by Judy Larson

Category: Classic
Technique(s): Wrapping
Skill Level: Beginner

The two different colored metals used in this bangle create an elegant piece of jewelry suitable for any occasion. This piece was made with silver and gold colored silver plated craft wire. It is great to practice with and the end product is beautiful. If worn just for special occasions, the piece of jewelry will last for years.

Materials

18 Gauge Square Silver Plated Silver Copper Craft Wire - 12 ft

H17-I18SQ-12FT

Lesson Quantity: 26.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.00
Gold Club Price: $9.00

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18 Gauge Square Silver Plated Gold Copper Craft Wire - 12 ft

H17-P18SQ-12FT

Lesson Quantity: 36.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.60
Gold Club Price: $6.45

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24 Gauge Round Silver Plated Silver Copper Craft Wire - 60 ft

H17-I24-60FT

Lesson Quantity: 12.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.80
Gold Club Price: $5.85

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21 Gauge Half Round Silver Plated Gold Copper Craft Wire - 12 ft

H17-P21HR-12FT

Lesson Quantity: 3.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

Out of Stock

18 Gauge Round Silver Plated Silver Copper Craft Wire - 20 ft

H17-I18-20FT

Lesson Quantity: 6.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.00
Gold Club Price: $9.00

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18 Gauge Half Round Silver Plated Silver Copper Craft Wire - 12 ft

H17-I18HR-12FT

Lesson Quantity: 50.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.60
Gold Club Price: $6.45

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Sterling Silver Beads Bright 2.5mm - Pack of 25

K9-138

Lesson Quantity: 12.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.12
Gold Club Price: $1.59

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Tools

Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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3 Step Wire Wrapping Pliers - Pack of 1

G2-19

G2-19
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $13.95
Gold Club Price: $10.46

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Oval Wood Bracelet Mandrel - Pack of 1

G7-60

G7-60
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $30.97
Gold Club Price: $23.23

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Scotch 0.94 Inch Painters Tape for Taping Wires Together

G13-5

G13-5
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $5.97
Gold Club Price: $4.48

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Instructions

Step 1

Straighten and cut three 8½" long pieces of 18-gauge square silver wire. Straighten and cut four 8¾" long pieces of 18-gauge square gold wire.

Step 2

Twist all four pieces of gold wire to a medium to tight twist.

Step 3

Make sure all the square wires are perfectly straight.

Bundle and tape the wires together with one silver in the middle, two twisted gold on either side of that, and the remaining silver wires outside the gold. On what will be the back side of the bangle, mark the center and 1" either side of center using an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Bundle and tape the wires together

Step 4

Since the 18-gauge wrap wire will not fit through the tiny holes of the 2.5mm beads, cut three 4" pieces of 24-gauge wire. 1½" from one end on each wire, make a 90-degree bend. Slide 4 beads on each wire and make a 90-degree bead after the last bead.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, slide 4 beads onto the wire

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, make 90 degree bends in the wire

Step 5

Using the marked center on the back of the wire bundle as a guide, center one beaded wire on the top side of the wire bundle. Pull the wires to the back, across the back and then back up to the front.

Each time the bead wrap wire goes around the bundled wires, it should be tightened down into place using a flat nose pliers.

Pull the wires across the front on either side of the beads, as close to the beads as possible, and then down and across the back.

Fan the wire tails to the sides so they will be covered in the next step with the wire wraps. Trim the wires off about ¾ of the way across the bangle back. The wire ends should be fanned out a bit more than the third photo so the half-round wrap wire will be able to secure them in place.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, center one beaded wire on the top side of the wire bundle.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Pull the wires to the back, across the back and then back up to the front.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Fan the wire tails to the sides so they will be covered in the next step with the wire wraps.

Step 6

Each wrap uses approximately 7" of 18-gauge half round wire, but it is a good idea to wrap from the spool to conserve wire. The 4 wraps on either side of the beads take up about 3/16" in width so start your wrap accordingly. You may have to push the first side of your wrap up to the bead before you begin your second half. All wraps should fit snugly against each other.

Make 4 wraps to show on the right side of the beads. This means that the wrap wire tail starts on the back side of the bundle. The wrap wire then comes up over the edge of the wire bundle and across the front.

The wrap wire is pulled down over the other edge of the bundle. A flat nose pliers is used to squeeze the first wrapped edge bends into place.

The wrap wire is then pulled across the back of the bundle. A flat nose pliers is used to squeeze the second wrapped edge bends into place. Continue until the final wrap on the first side of the beads covers the bead wire on the front of the wire bundle-first photo.

Make sure that the bead wire end is covered by the wraps. The wrap should secure it in place so it can't come loose.

Continue across to the other side of the beads and make 4 more wraps to show, covering the other bead wire end in the process-second photo. Trim the wrap wire tails between the twisted wire and the center wire. Use a flat nose pliers to squeeze the wire tails into place-third photo.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Make 4 wraps to show on the right side of the beads.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Continue until the final wrap on the first side of the beads covers the bead wire on the front of the wire bundle-first photo.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Make sure that the bead wire end is covered by the wraps.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, use flat-nose pliers to tighten all the wires

Step 7

Repeat Step 5 and Step 6 on the two marked lines 1" out from center. Remove the painters tape as needed.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Repeat Step 5 and Step 6 on the two marked lines 1” out from center. Remove the painters tape as needed.

Step 8

It is time to decide the size bangle you need. A size small is 7" around; a size medium is 7½" around; a size large is 8" around. These measurements are also the length you will cut the wrapped section you just made.

Center the center bead section on a measurement length you need and cut the ends off accordingly (ie. 3½" from the center of the center bead section out to each side for the size small, 3¾" out from center for size medium and 4" out from center for size large).

Note: If a large bangle is made, another set of wraps can be added between the end wraps and the middle wraps after the ends are finished in Steps 11-13.

Step 9

Use an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie to mark ¾" in from both ends on the back side of the wrapped bundle.

Step 10

Steps 10 through 13 should be completed on both ends of the wire wrapped bundle.

Make three full wraps to show on the BACK side of the back of the bangle. Do not pull the beginning wire tail to the back yet. Make sure that the mark made in Step 9 is covered.

Being careful not to dislodge the wraps, pull the center square wire towards the back down over the three wraps-first photo. Use a flat nose pliers to bend the wire down over the wraps-first and second photos. Wrap the beginning wrap wire tail to the back side. Trim the tail even with the inner twisted gold wire-seen in first photo.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Make three full wraps to show on the BACK side of the back of the bangle. Do not pull the beginning wire tail to the back yet.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, pull the center square wire towars the back and down

Step 11

Make two more full wraps over the square wire-first photo. Cut the square wire even with the last half-round wire wrap-second photo. Finish wrapping so there are 8 wraps to show on the outside. Pull the wrap wire to the back side. Cut the wrap wire even with the edge of the center square wire of the bangle-third photo.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, make two more full wraps

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, trim and press flat

Step 12

Place the jaws of a flat nose pliers close to the outer first wrap on right side of the bangle. Make a 45-degree bend in the three outer wires (two twisted, on square) towards the right side of the bangle. Repeat the process with the other three wires.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Make a 45 degree bend in the three outer wires

Step 13

Using the center step of a 3-step pliers, curl the 6 square wires on each side of the bangle ends towards the back (inside) of the bangle. Do not completely close the curl.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Curl the 6 square wires on each side of the bangle ends towards the back (inside) of the bangle.

Step 14

Make the Hook:

A: Cut a 3¾" long piece of 18-gauge round. Bend the wire in half. Use a pair of flat nose pliers to squash the wires tightly together at the bend. Note: If it is difficult to bend the wire exactly in half and make the ends even, cut the wire 4" long.

B: Cut the folded wire 1¾"long.

C: Using round nose pliers, create a 3/32"ID (interior diameter) loop on each cut end of the folded wire.

Pro Tip: Mark the barrel of your pliers so you can make consistent loops.

D: Using the 20- or 22-gauge half-round wire, make five or six wraps to show at the base of the hook. Push the wraps firmly down toward the loops. Tighten the wire down tightly with a flat nose pliers.

E: Position a flat nose pliers just above the wrap and bend the hook at about a 30-degree angle towards what will be the outside of the hook.

F: Bend the hook wire end around a ¼" mandrel to create the hook bend or the largest step of the 3-step pliers.

G: Using the tip of a chain nose pliers, curl the tip of the hook up, if desired. If the end of the hook is very long, the tip could even be folded over a bit-see Step 15C.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Bend the wire in half.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Use a pair of flat nose pliers to squash the wires tightly together at the bend.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Using round nose pliers, create a 3/32“ID (interior diameter) loop on each cut end of the folded wire

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, mark your pliers

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, make five or six wraps to show at the base of the hook. Push the wraps firmly down toward the loops.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, bend the hook at about a 30° angle

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Bend the hook wire end around a ¼” mandrel to create the hook bend

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Using the tip of a chain nose pliers, curl the tip of the hook up,

Step 15

Make the Eye

A: Cut a 1¾" long piece of 18 gauge round wire. Make 3/32"ID (interior diameter) loop on both ends of the wire, as shown.

B: Form the wire around the largest step of a 3-step pliers, pushing the wire loop ends evenly together.

C: The Hook and Eye are now finished

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Make a loop on both ends of the wire, as shown.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Form the wire around the largest step of a 3-step pliers

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, hook and eye

Step 16

Decide if you want the hook to curl to the inside or to the outside of your bangle. The majority of people choose the hook facing out. If you wear a lot of open knit sweaters, it should face in.

Slide the hook onto the loops created in Step 13. The wrapped wire ends may need to be spread apart slightly for the hook or eye to easily fit. Use chain- or flat-nose pliers to finish closing the loops holding the hook.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, attach the eye

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, attach the hook

Step 17

Form the bangle by bending it around a cylindrical object-a pill bottle in this case. Remove and tweak the shape a bit. A bangle with a more oval shape will better fit the wrist.

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, bend around a cylindrical object

Judy Larson's Two-tone Beaded Bangle - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, finished bangle

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!