Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain , Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Making Chain, Chain Making . Make this cool chain using 19-gauge steel wire or substitute 18-gauge copper wire.
Beaded Steel Wire Chain
by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Chain Making
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Make this cool chain using 19-gauge steel wire or substitute 18-gauge copper wire. I added some glass beads to a little bling.

If you choose to use the steel wire, you will want to remove the tool oil from it before you make the links. You can do this using plain soap and water and dry thoroughly, or clean the wire with 400 grit sandpaper. The quantity of wire called for in the supplies will make 26 links and 40 6mm jump rings and a hook clasp. Adjust as necessary for the length you are making.

Materials

19-gauge dark annealed steel wire or 18-gauge copper wire
  • Lesson Quantity: 10.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Matte Onyx 4mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-290
  • Lesson Quantity: 53.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Price: $5.07
  • Gold Club Price: $3.80
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Tools

Ultimate wire-pliers Set
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $99.95
  • Gold Club Price: $74.96
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6PC File Set
FIL-912.10
  • FIL-912.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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Wire Jewelry Cushion Clamp - Pack of 1
G10-1
  • G10-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
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Deluxe V-Slot Bench Pin with Clamp
BPN-105.00
  • BPN-105.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.98
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Digital Calipers With Stone Holder by Euro Tool
GAU-179.00
  • GAU-179.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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5 Piece Steel Mandrel Set
G7-5
  • G7-5
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
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Renaissance wax
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Instructions
Step 1
Wash the wire with soap and water or clean with 400 grit sandpaper. Apply a thin coating of wax and polish with a soft cloth. Measure and cut 26 pieces of wire 2 ½" long. To file the ends flat, hold a group of the wires using the cushion clamp, rest on the bench pin for support and file flat and smooth using the flat file
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , cut the wire
Step 2
Make a mark on your round nose pliers at 2.5 mm and 4.2 mm using the digital caliper and permanent marker.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , mark your pliers
Step 3
Grasp a wire in the center on the 2.5 mm mark you made on the round nose pliers and make a 'safety pin' eye, bringing the ends of the wires together.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make a loop
Step 4
If you are using beads, slide one on one wire, position the end of the wire at the 4.2 mm mark and then make an eye, break the neck. Continue with the remaining wires.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , add a bead
Step 5
Wrap a 4' length of wire around the 6mm mandrel to make 40 jump rings.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make 40 jump rings
Step 6
Cut the links apart and condition them using the flat nose and half round pliers.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , cut the rings apart
Step 7
To assemble the chain, attach two links together at the 'safety pin' eyes with a single jump ring. Next, use a jump ring through two links on the larger eye ends. Slide a second jump ring to attach the other eyes. Continue until the entire chain is assembled.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , attach two links together
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , connect the ends
Step 8
To make the hook, cut a piece of wire 4" long. Make the same 'safety pin' eye 1" off one end. Wrap the tail. Measure 1" off the wrapped tail, and slide a bead on.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make a safety pin eye
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , xxxxx
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , add a bead
Step 9
Hold the wire at the 1" mark and bend as shown. Use the bottom of the round nose pliers to make slight curved in the end, then bend wire into a hook.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make a bend
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make a hook
Step 10
Clamp the hook with the cushion clamp, bend the wire as shown. Use the half round pliers to tuck the tail above the beads. Attach the hook to one end of the necklace with a jump ring.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , clamp the hook
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , wrap the neck
Judy Freyer Thompson's Beaded Steel Wire Chain  - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , attach the hook to the end of the necklace