Category: Video Tutorials

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Zigzag Ladder Weave – Wire Weaving Tutorial

Zigzag Ladder Weave - Wire Weaving Tutorial
Zigzag Ladder Weave Samples

I was experimenting with combining a zigzag weave and a ladder weave today and came up with something I liked. It’s been a while since I did a wire weaving tutorial, so I decided to just do a quick video of it so I can share it with you guys. Ok, who am I kidding? I recorded it so I won’t forget how to do it myself. lol

I’m using 28g for the weaving wire and 20g for the base wires. I haven’t tried this weave with other gauges yet, but it would probably work well with an 18g/26g combo as well.

If you’d like a PDF version of this tutorial, feel free to let me know in the comments. If enough people are interested in a PDF tutorial I’ll make sure to put it on my to-do list.

See more of my videos at the GailaviraJewelryWJT YouTube channel.

You can find my free wire wrap PDF tutorials by clicking here.

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Wire Wrapped Infinity Ring – An Easy Way to Make a Fidget Ring

This tutorial shows an easy way to make a fidget ring out of 18 gauge wire and a small donut bead. This ring is adjustable and features a simple infinity symbol over the stone.

Tools and Supplies:

18g wire (I’m using dead soft in the video, but half hard will work as well)
Small donut bead with a hole large enough to fit 2 pieces of 18g wire
Ruler
Flush Cutters
Round Nose Pliers
Flat Nose Pliers
Bench Block
Metal Hammer
Nylon or Rawhide Hammer
Nylon Jaw Pliers (optional)
Ring Mandrel
Tools for Desired Method for filing wire ends – I’m using a cup bur in a motorized rotary tool. However, if you prefer you can use a needle file, emery board, sand paper, or other method of filing that you are familiar with and have the tools for.

Copper and Carnelian Adjustable Fidget Ring
Copper and Carnelian Adjustable fidget ring

See more of my videos at the GailaviraJewelryWJT YouTube channel.

You can find my free wire wrap PDF tutorials by clicking here.

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Easy Wire Wrap for a Top Drilled Stone

This new lesson shows an easy way to wire wrap a top/side drilled stone. I’ve used this for claw shaped stones, crystal points, even the rectangular “stick” beads you can find at many craft stores and it works great for all of them. You just need to make sure the hole on the stone is large enough to fit 18g wire through it.

Tools and supplies:
Top drilled stone with hole going side to side that is large enough to fit 18g wire.
18g wire (round, dead soft)
28g wire (round, dead soft)
flush cutters
round nose pliers
flat nose pliers
chain nose pliers (AKA needle nose pliers)
5-6mm mandrel (or bail making pliers, or other cylindrical object that is 5-6 mm in diameter
ruler

In the video I teach a simple swirl design for the front of the stone. However, there is no end to the way you can modify this front piece. In the photos below I show a couple pieces with a leaf motif, and one with snake-like curves.

Rose Quarts and Green Agate Wire Wrap Pendants
Rose Quarts and Green Agate Wire Wrap Pendants

Red and Gold Wire Wrap Resin Crystal Pendant
Red and Gold Wire Wrap Resin Crystal Pendant

See more of my videos at the GailaviraJewelryWJT YouTube channel.

You can find my free wire wrap PDF tutorials by clicking here.

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Curlicue Heart Earrings Wire Wrap Jewelry Tutorial

Learn how to make a cute pair of wire wrapped earrings with a lacy swirling pattern and simple heart charm. These curlicue heart earrings will make a great addition to your valentine’s day wardrobe.

Supplies needed:
Approximately 17″ 20g round wire
2 top drilled heart shaped beads (or other charms of your choice)

Tools Needed:
Flush Cutters
Round Nose Pliers
Chain Nose (or Bent Chain Nose) pliers
8mm Mandrel (or other suitable found round object)
Needle file (or sand paper, cup bur, emery board, or whatever you prefer for smoothing wire ends)

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How to Finish Cord Ends with Wire

One of the things I get asked most is how to finish off cord ends for necklace. It’s actually very simple to do. There are a lot of different methods to do this. In this video I’ll show you the way I do it most often. For me, this just seems to be the most secure way that I’ve tried.

In the video I’m using 20g wire and 3mm thick leather cord. This also works well for thinner cords, but I would recommend using 22 gauge wire for anything thinner than 3mm. I like making larger loops on the ends for the style of clasp I usually use. However, you can make smaller loops and add jump rings if you prefer.

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See more of my work at Gailavira Jewelry
See more tutorials at WireJewelryTutorials.com

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Ear Cuff Demonstration

It’s been a few years, but I decided to start playing around with videos again. Still trying to get the lighting and camera settings just right. I was working on some ear cuffs, so I decided to film one and see how it turns out. Still have some room for improvement. There’s no talking on this one, so it isn’t really a tutorial, I guess. But if you’re interested in making ear cuffs, it may give you some ideas. 🙂

See more of my work at Gailavira Jewelry
See more tutorials at WireJewelryTutorials.com
You can find my handmade ear cuffs at Shut Up and Cuff Me

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A Few More Video Tutorials

Things have been so crazy around here with the holidays coming up that I just can’t seem to get it all together sometimes. I did find time to do a few more videos, but being so scatterbrained lately, I completely forgot to update the blog to let you guys know about them.

Sooooo….

Hope you guys enjoy them. 🙂

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New Video Tutorial: Woven Adjustable Wire Wrapped Ring

And… yep, you guessed it. More swirls. 🙂

This is a design I’ve been playing with for several years. In the video I teach a very basic version of it, but at the end there are some photos of other rings I have made using this base design as a starting point to give you some more inspiration. Hope you enjoy it.

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Polymer Clay Time Lapse Video: “Silver Tongued Devil” Alien Face Sculpture

This one isn’t exactly a tutorial. Just a time lapse video. I decided film a few videos while I try to get the lighting set up just right. I’m also trying to learn to shoot using manual settings instead of leaving it on auto. And, on top of all of that, I’m trying to teach myself how to work in smaller, more restricted areas on my work surface in order to stay in frame when I’m doing videos. This is one of the videos I shot while doing this. It’s not the greatest quality video. The original video was too dark, and ooops… I started singing along with the radio (please remind me to never do that again!). I did brighten the video up a little while editing, but it still isn’t perfect. But if you’re interested in sculpting alien or monster faces out of polymer clay, hopefully this helps you a little. 🙂