{"id":6412,"date":"2009-10-28T07:36:51","date_gmt":"2009-10-28T14:36:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=6412"},"modified":"2013-04-28T11:21:49","modified_gmt":"2013-04-28T18:21:49","slug":"wire-work-polymer-clay-beads-loops-links","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wire-work-polymer-clay-beads-loops-links\/6412\/","title":{"rendered":"Wire Work and Polymer Clay Beads | Creating Your Loops and Links"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Wired <\/span>“Yes please… show us more wire working techniques! I think copper wire really sets off polymer clay.” ~Lisa-W<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>Some things just go together. Peanut Butter and Jelly, Wine and Cheese, Wirework and Polymer Clay Beads!<\/span><\/p>\n

Lately I been combining polymer clay beads with wire work techniques for all kinds of jewelry projects. I haven’t been able to resist, ever since my Dad dropped off a huge spool of copper electrical wire!<\/span><\/p>\n

The two mediums, support each other very nicely. Beads have holes. So in order to use them, you must either string them together or link them somehow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s a simple way to make a beaded chain with your polymer clay beads.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cut a short piece of 20 gauge or larger wire in the metal of your choice. The length will be determined by the size of the beads and the amount needed for loops.<\/span><\/p>\n

To determine how much wire you will need for the loops, take a scrap piece of the same wire and make a loop at the end. When the loop is completed, make a mark with a Sharpie or permanent pen where the two wires meet. Then unroll the wire loop and try to straighten it as best you can. Finally, measure the length from the end of the wire to the mark. This is how much wire it will take to make a loop.<\/span><\/p>\n

The photo above shows you how I wired up a faux raku tube bead<\/a> and then used jump rings to connect multiple beads together in a chain.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are not too sure how to make the loops properly, don’t worry. I will be demonstrating this technique in an upcoming video tutorial at the Polymer Clay Members Library<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

I would love to see some tutorial’s on wire wrapping. <\/span>~Jennifer-M<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you want to check out some previous wire work and polymer clay tutorials that are now available as back issues, check out the following posts:<\/span><\/p>\n