Cut Out + Keep

Tweetheart Bracelet

This charming Tweetheart Bracelet uses just one technique – the wrapped loop – and a strand of coordinated lampwork beads.

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/tweetheart-bracelet • Posted by MillLaneStudio

With the chirpy little bird perched between coiled wire beads, even if your wrapping technique is a little messy, it will add to the homespun feel of the bracelet. For designs like this one that use heavier beads and components, it's better to use a wrapped loop rather than a simple loop to make the loops stronger and the bracelet more secure.

You will need

Project Budget
Reasonably Priced

Time

2 h 00

Difficulty

So-so
Medium 114370 2f2016 05 25 142033 tweetheart bracelet wm Medium 114370 2f2016 05 26 023633 tweetheart bracelet alt1 wm Medium 114370 2f2016 05 26 023639 tweetheart bracelet alt2 wm

Description

With the chirpy little bird perched between coiled wire beads, even if your wrapping technique is a little messy, it will add to the homespun feel of the bracelet. For designs like this one that use heavier beads and components, it's better to use a wrapped loop rather than a simple loop to make the loops stronger and the bracelet more secure.

Instructions

  1. Small 114370 2f2016 05 25 142802 1 bend wire wm

    For each link, you will need to allow 3" (7.5cm) of wire to wrap the loops, plus the length of the components for that link. Cut the wire for the first component and create a wrapped loop on one end. String a seed bead, a red and white polka dot bead and another seed bead. Grip the wire with the tip of the chain nose pliers just above the second seed bead and bend it at a 90° angle.

  2. Small 114370 2f2016 05 25 142804 2 form loop wm

    Remove the chain nose pliers and position the round nose pliers in the bend of the neck you just formed. Wrap the wire around the top jaw of the pliers to form a loop.

  3. Small 114370 2f2016 05 25 142807 3 wrap neck wm

    Remove the round nose pliers from the loop and grip it with the flat nose pliers. Wrap the tail neatly around the neck.

  4. Small 114370 2f2016 05 25 142816 4 wrap neck wm

    Sometimes this can be fiddly and you might find it is easier to use chain nose pliers to wrap the tail rather than your fingers.

  5. Small 114370 2f2016 05 25 142822 5 wrap tightly wm

    Wrap the wire neatly around the neck two or three times, or until the wire sits snugly against the last bead added.

  6. Small 114370 2f2016 05 25 142825 6 trim end wm

    Trim the excess wire close to the neck. Use crimping pliers or chain nose pliers to press the cut end neatly against the neck.

  7. Small 114370 2f2016 05 25 142833 7 double wrapped loops wm

    The finished double wrapped loop should look like this.

  8. Small 114370 2f2016 05 25 142838 8 form loop wm

    Cut the wire for the heart component. It needs to be long enough for two seed beads and the heart, plus 3" (7.5cm). Create a right angled bend at the 1 1/4" (3cm) mark. Place the round nose pliers in the neck of the bend and wrap the wire around the top jaw of the pliers to form a loop. When crossing the wire at the front of the neck, leave a gap between the front and the back wires large enough to hook a component through.

  9. Small 114370 2f2016 05 26 015619 9 connect bead wm

    Hook the loop of the polka dot bead onto the loop you just formed.

  10. Small 114370 2f2016 05 26 015658 10 wrap loop wm

    Grip the loop with chain nose pliers and finish the wrapped loop. Trim the excess wire.

  11. Small 114370 2f2016 05 26 015818 11 string heart wm

    String a seed bead, a heart and another seed bead onto the wire.

  12. Small 114370 2f2016 05 26 015951 12 bend wire wm

    Create a neck and form a loop.

  13. Small 114370 2f2016 05 26 015959 13 complete wrapping wm

    Wrap the wire around the neck two or three times to firm up the beads.

  14. Small 114370 2f2016 05 26 020009 14 bracelet layout wm

    For the bird component, replace the seed beads with wire beads. Continue adding wire wrapped components using the photograph as a guide. To make the bracelet longer, add additional wire beads.

  15. Small 114370 2f2016 05 26 020014 15 attach clasp wm

    To attach the clasp at each end of the bracelet, cut a length of wire for the wire bead and create a wrapped loop on the polka dot component. String the wire bead. Form the loop and hook on one half of the clasp.

  16. Small 114370 2f2016 05 26 020018 16 complete loop wm

    Complete the wrapped loop. Repeat on the other end of the bracelet to attach the second half of the clasp.