Wire Wrapping a Briolette
This is a simple technique but needs a little perseverance to produce neat and consistent results. This
technique is basically the same as wire wrapping any other bead, but with a briolette you can continue to
wrap the wire down the top part of the bead to form a ‘cap’.
How to Create
1. Cut a length of wire approximately 15 - 20cm long (it is easiest to have a little extra wire than you will actually use, as it gives you more to hold onto and grip whilst wrapping the wire).
2. Slip the briolette onto the wire leaving approximately 2cm at one end.
3. Pinch both ends of the wire together at the top of the briolette to form a triangle shape and check that the briolette is centred.
4. Cut the end on the short end of wire so that it is only about 2-3mm above the bead.
5. Holding the longer end of the wire with the round nose pliers just above the short end, bend it to a right angle and then wrap the end of the wire up and over the tip of the pliers to form a loop. Make sure the loop is centered above the top of the briolette.
6. Switch to using the snipe nose pliers and hold the loop fl at between the tips, take the length of wire between your fingers and holding it taught, wrap around the stem of wires starting at the base of the loop and working downwards towards the bead.
7. Continue to wrap around the stem with the wire, making sure that each wrap sits neatly and close to
the last.
8. When you reach the top of the bead continue wrapping around the top of the bead to form a cap. This will give the bead stability and stop it from twisting on the wire. Make sure that you keep the wire taught whilst wrapping and the wire loops stay tight together for a neat and consistent look.
9. To finish, tuck the end under the last loop around the briolette and pull through carefully and as
neatly as possible. This will prevent the wire from unraveling.
10. Trim the remaining end neatly with the side cutters.
11. If necessary, bend the short end over carefully with the snip nose pliers to prevent it snagging
on clothing.
Remember that it takes practise (and a little patience) to master these techniques, so persevere if it doesn’t look as you wanted at first or experiment with the technique until you fi nd a way that works for you.
Once you have mastered this technique you will find it useful for many different beading projects.
Wire wrapped briolettes can be attached with a jump ring to a section of chain and made into drops
for earrings and pendants or attached to bracelets as charms - the possibilities are endless!