How to Make a Bail for a Top to Bottom/Straight Drilled Bead

Most times I work with top drilled beads but there are also top to bottom drilled beads that are beautiful too. This tutorial is a method that with little work, gives you a lovely finished product and allows you to use wire rather than headpins which may not give you enough length to make a wrapped loop.

These top to bottom drill earrings are made with head pins and are finished with a wrapped loop. But for those of us who don't have headpins on hand here's an alternative.

Supplies Needed:
2, 12 inch lengths of wire(I used 24 gauge but you have to use whatever gauge fits through your bead."
1 top to bottom drilled bead (this method works for round beads, nuggets, oval and briolettes. I used a 40mm round bead.
wire cutters
chain nose or jewelry pliers.

1. Twist the two 12 inch wires together loosely about 5 inches from the ends.

2.Bend one wire at a 90 degree angle to the other

3.. Coil one wire around the other for about 1/2 inch, you can do this more or less based on the size of the bead you are working with.

4.Stick the two two wires below the coil through the bead.

Always check that your wires fit through the hole in your bead before you start your project.

5. Push the shorter wire from the top through the hole in the bead. A loop will form from the coil, reshape it if necessary.

 

6. Wrap the long wire around the base of the loop a few times to stabilize.

7. Trim the bottom three wires to about 3/8 inch and loop toward the bead.

8. Take the long wire at that remains and bring it along the side of the bead and begin to wrap it around the bottom looped three wires.

 

 

9. Wrap several times then trim and enjoy!

(Although it's not necessary I twisted the wire in the center a bit for a decorative effect.)

 

 

A briolette bead done the same way.

How to Make Wire and Bead Connectors and Links

This is a short video on how to make wire and bead, links and connectors that can be used in jewelry designs. A connector can also be used to repair a chain or in bracelets and necklaces. Enjoy.

D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGHQpHPB1eY

How to make a Bird's Nest Charm

This is a short video on how to make a bird's nest charm from wire and pearl beads.

Hope you Enjoy, D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBLL5M1dgcs

How to Wire Wrap Stones and Beads

This is a short video on how to wire wrap beads and stones using a technique I find fail proof.

D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2dT1NhZjro

Wire Working with Flair

My jewelry skills are 100% self taught. I have more beading magazines and books than I can shake a stick at yet I can always find room for just one more...

In the past I had an online jewelry stone on ebay and it was fun yet I found the push to sell and make the numbers each month took away from my creativity and the absolute joy of jewelry design. I gave up the business but my heart never gave up jewelry design and my love for wire and gems.

I don't know peyote stitch, or any bead weaving and I commend those who do because it's alot of work. I do very little stringing and usually only use leather if I do use something other than wire. I don't do silversmith work, although I would like to try my hand at it one day. I don't do elaborate, artistic designs that are beautiful yet not wearable, I can't help it I'm just too practical for those statement pieces. Jewelry for me should be beautiful and something that you can wear everyday if you want to. So if any of these jewelry making venues are your passion and your single focus then I'm sorry this is not the right place for you.

On the other hand if you love wire, pliers, hammering, wrapping, gemstones, chains, charms, briolettes and unique designs then we probably have something in common, so welcome. Have a seat, pull out your beads and lets have a see what we can make. Post a picture of what you have, what you want to make and what you're interested in doing and I will comb my mind to help guide you if you would like. Either way I am open just drop me a line because this could be the beginning of a wire working friendship.

D.