Large Jewelry Wire Links Necklace & Bracelet Jewelry Making Projects -- Page 2

Step 1:  Cut a piece of 18 gauge soft wire 5" long.  For intermediate wire workers, you might want to try this project with 16 gauge wire for the larger and bolder style that the larger wire would provide. 

Step 2:  Make a 1/2 loop in one end of the wire.  You don't need a full  loop, because this 1/2 loop will ultimately be cut off.  You need just enough of a loop so that the wire can hold on peg 1, a regular metal peg.

Step 3:  Grasp the 1/2 loop in the wire and using your nylon jaw pliers, pull the wire repeatedly through the jaws of your pliers to straighten the wire.

Step 4:  Position one regular metal peg and two 1/2" Super Pegs in your jig as shown above-right.  Place the initial loop on peg 1 and wrap the wire, first round peg 2, then around peg 3 as shown.  We  used our WigJig Centaur for this project, but this pattern could be adapted to any of our jigs. 

Step 5:  Remove the wire from your jig.  Your wire component should appear as shown at right.

Step 6:  Grasp one of the two loops of wire made around one of the 1/2" Super Pegs in your nylon jaw pliers as shown below-left.  While firmly holding the loop to preserve the round shape, bend the wire tail up and over the wire segment connecting the two loops as shown below-right.  You won't be able to push this wire flat.  That can wait for a later step. 

Step 7:  Since this is the first link we are making, you will need to do the same thing on the opposite loop.  First grasp the loop in your nylon jaw pliers and then bend the wire up and over the wire segment that connects the two loops.