Three Jewelry Wire Stars Jewelry Making Project          Page 2 of 5

5 Pointed Star

Step 1: Cut and straighten a piece of 16G, 18G or 20G wire about 10 inches long. 

Step 2:  Make a loop in one end of the wire.

Step 3:  Place the loop over peg one as shown at left and wrap the wire around all five pegs in turn, returning to peg 1.

Step 4:  Make a final loop around peg 1 with the end of the wire.

Step 5:  Before removing the wire from the jig, gently squeeze the wire together on either side of the peg using your fingers.  This is done to make the points of the star sharper and less rounded.  This step may not be necessary with 1/2 hard wire.

Step 6:  Remove the piece from the jig and cut the excess wire tail off.  Close the ending loop where you just cut the excess wire with your chain nose pliers.

Peg Pattern

Step 7:  Cut and straighten 12 inches of 24 or 26 gauge wire.

Step 8:  Insert 1/2 inch of this fine wire through the two loops around peg 1.  Wrap this wire around the top of the two loops, threading it back through the loops to fully encircle the two loops.  Pull tight.  This should begin to hold the two loops together.  Do this again at least three times.  Cut the excess wire at both ends (beginning and ending).  Use your chain nose pliers to squeeze the wire ends flat. 

Step 9:  Now wrap the fine gauge wire around all the places where the heavy wire crosses itself.  There are five total places.  Make at least 2 full loops around the wire.  Pull tight, then cut any excess wire from both ends.  Using your chain nose pliers, squeeze the loose wire ends flat.  Now step back and admire the finished piece. 

Alternative Designs:  Move all five pegs out one or more pegs to make this star larger.  On the following page we show a peg pattern for making this star smaller.