Pg 3 of Working with Memory Wire Jewelry Making Technique Page 3

An alternative to beginning and ending your Memory Wire jewelry in a loop, is the use of an end cap bead. End Cap Beads are metal beads with a hole 3/4 of the way through the bead. End cap beads are glued to the end of the Memory Wire using any type of Super Glue. With a bracelet or choker made with end cap beads, the Memory Wire itself will not be visible.

A jewelry making project using Memory Wire and end cap beads begins by cutting the Memory Wire into a coil as we described earlier. The next step is to glue one end cap bead to one end of the Memory Wire Coil. The best method for gluing the end cap beads is to file the last 1/8" of the Memory Wire with a jeweler's file. The idea is not to make the wire smoother, but instead to make it rougher, allowing the glue to get a better grip. File both ends. Coat the final 1/8" of one end of your Memory Wire with the Jeweler's Cement and then slide the coated end all the way into your end cap bead. Allow the glue to set for a several minutes to an hour, until the bead is held securely.

Techniques for Making Jewelry with Memory Wire -- End Cap Bead

Memory Wire Bracelet with End Cap Bead

After the glue has set, the end cap bead will hold your regular beads on your Memory Wire coil as you add them. Begin adding your beads as described in the previous page. Using a hemostat to clamp the open end of the wire is a good idea whenever you set this project down. Once all the beads have been added, glue the second end cap bead on open end to finish this project. Because the Memory Wire is completely hidden by the combination of regular beads and end cap beads, this alternative for making Memory Wire Jewelry is recommended. You can view our selection of end cap beads here.

Working With Memory Wire Pages: 1 2 3 4 Jewelry Techniques Dictionary of Terms

This WigJig jewelry project is provided as part of WigJig University - College of Jewelry Designs. We try to provide interesting jewelry projects using beads, jewelry wire and other jewelry supplies. We hope that these pictures will provide you enough information for you to learn these skills. We have tried in these pages to discuss the skills necessary for making jewelry in the detail that beginners need. We also suggest that beginners to making jewelry might need to visit the WigJig University College of Jewelry Making Techniques for additional information about some of the skills and techniques shown.

Most, but not all of the jewelry supplies shown here can be purchased in our WigJig store. We try to have a complete selection of jewelry supplies in our store including chain, wire, glass beads, findings, watches, tools, etc.

Page 3 Jewelry Making -- Working with Memory Wire

Working With Memory Wire Pages: 1 2 3 4 Jewelry Techniques Dictionary of Terms

Working With Memory Wire Pages: 1 2 3 4 Jewelry Techniques Dictionary of Terms