Page 8      Making Loops in Jewelry Wire Jewelry Making Technique

Step 6:  With the wire re-orientated in your pliers, continue pushing the wire until you have completed the loop as shown at right.

Step 7:  At this point we need to visually inspect the loop and ensure that it is centered.  If it is slightly off center, insert the loop fully in your pliers and twist it one way or the other until the loop is centered over the vertical wire segment above the beads. 

Step 8:  Now we are ready to cut the excess wire.  Orientate your flush cutter so that the flat side of your cutter is toward the finished wire component and cut the excess wire at the point were it overlaps the beginning of the loop. 

Step 9:  After cutting the excess wire the loop will be slightly open as shown at left.  We need to close this opening.  This is done with your bent chain nose pliers, grasping the loop and twisting so that it is closed.  The finished, closed loop will appear as shown at right. 

These instructions continue with instructions on how to make a wrapped loop.  The wrapped loop is very popular in making wire components because it is strong and can be used essentially in any jewelry component. 

In the next page of instructions we will discuss a new technique for making open loops.  This technique uses step jaw pliers to make the size of the loops more consistently.