Making memory wire chokers or bracelets

Tips:

• Design memory wire chokers in single turn, or bracelets in single or multiple turns. Be sure to have ends overlapped for single turn design.

• Choose an assortment of beads in various size and shape to build texture and color for the jewelry piece.

• Seed beads work great between accent beads.

• Avoid beads that are longer than 10 mm, which are difficult to slide off the coil wire.

• Attach charms to split rings or heavy jump rings before stringing onto memory wire. This will ensure the correct orientation of the charms on the finished piece.

• For chokers, start in the middle for your design, use Scotch tapes to hold the ends if needed. Be sure to finish one end before taking off the tape to prevent the beads from sliding off the wire.

• For bracelets, finish one end first, then string the beads.

• Choose one of the two following finishing method to finish your memory wire jewelry.

• If you need to cut the wire, be sure to use special Memory Wire Cutter. Memory wire is very hard and stiff, which may damage your jewelry wire cutter.

Tools: Round nose pliers and/or memory wire cutters

Estimated cost: $5 - $30

Estimated time: 1/2 - 1 hour

Method 1.

Use round nose pliers and make a loop at the end of the wire. We recommend leaving 1/4 - 1/2" wire for making the loop. Hold the pliers steady and force the loop to form. Close the loop as tight as possible to prevent the last beads from sliding into the loop.

Method 2.

Dap a bit of Crazy Glue™ (or other glue for metal to metal bonding) at the end of the memory wire. String one memory wire end cap (a round bead with a hole in one side only) and hold it until it bonds to the wire.

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