Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Making Chain, Chain Making . Do you have some awesome focal pieces that scream for a chunky chain to showcase them? Make your own chunky chain to suspend them from! I used 16 gauge steel wire for this on, but I have also made this particular style of chain using 14 gauge copper wire.
Chunky Steel Wire Chain
by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Chain Making
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Do you have some awesome focal pieces that scream for a chunky chain to showcase them? Make your own chunky chain to suspend them from! I used 16 gauge steel wire for this on, but I have also made this particular style of chain using 14 gauge copper wire. To make the links intriguing, add some dimension to the steel wire by hammering before you clean the tool oil off. Steel wire is tough to cut and rough on wire cutters, I suggest using an inexpensive pair and keep them just for steel wire.

Materials

19 gauge steel wire
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
16 Gauge Round Stainless Steel Craft Wire - 15 ft
H18-F16-15FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 6.50 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $6.00
  • Gold Club Price: $4.50
Out of Stock
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Tools

Wubbers Jumbo Round Mandrel Pliers
G2-1305
  • G2-1305
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $35.97
  • Gold Club Price: $26.98
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8 Piece Mini Brass Mandrel Set
G7-14
  • G7-14
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.23
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Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face
G3-27
  • G3-27
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.97
  • Gold Club Price: $10.48
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Premium Steel Bench Block 2 1/2 X 2 1/2
G17-9
  • G17-9
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.98
Out of Stock
Round Nose Wire Plier
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Memory Wire Cutters - Pack of 1
G2-36
  • G2-36
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.97
  • Gold Club Price: $9.73
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Renaissance wax
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
SANDING SPONGES ASST- 5PC- 1EA GRIT 100-400
ABR-600.90
  • ABR-600.90
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
28 oz tin can
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
6 Piece Assorted File Set with Wooden Handle
G14-7
  • G14-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.57
  • Gold Club Price: $4.18
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Instructions
Step 1
To make (5) chunky links, cut (5) pieces of 16 gauge wire and file the ends flat. Hammer at this point if you desire on a steel bench block using the ball end of the chasing hammer.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , cut 5 pieces of 16g wire
Step 2
Clean the wire using 400 grit sandpaper
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , clean the wire with sandpaper
Step 3
Make a 4mm eye loop on one end of a wire using round nose pliers, make a second eye loop perpendicular to the first on the other end of the wire
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Make a loop at each end
Step 4
Using the 18mm side of the mandrel pliers, wrap the wire around 2 ½ times.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Wrap around the mandrel pliers
Step 5
Adjust the eyes as necessary. Make the additional 4 links following the instructions above.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Make 4 more links
Step 6
Connect the links opening and closing the eye loops.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , connect the links
Step 7
Make (4) 8mm jump rings.
Step 8
Cut (6) pieces of iron wire and clean using 400 grit sandpaper. Make a curve in the wires using the 28 ounce can for the mandrel.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , cut 6 pieces of wire
Step 9
Make 4mm eye loops on both end of the wires.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make eye loops at both ends
Step 10
Slide one 8mm jump ring through the eyes on the 6” wires and close ring; repeat on other end.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , slip a jump ring through the ends of the 3 wires
Step 11
Cut (4) 4” pieces of 19 gauge wire and wrap around the three 16 gauge wires.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , xxx
Step 12
Secure using bent nose pliers.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Secure the wires
Step 13
Attach the 3-wire assemblies to the links.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , xxx
Step 14
Cut a 3” piece of 16 gauge wire and clean using 400 grit sandpaper. Flatten both ends using a chasing hammer on the steel bench block.
Step 15
Using round nose pliers, make opposing eyes in each end then bend the wire into an ‘s’ shape.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make an s-hook
Step 16
Attached one end of the ‘s’ connector to one jump ring, and close the gap. Slightly open the other end to serve as the hook clasp.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Chunky Steel Wire Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , attach the hook clasp
Step 17
Seal the chain using Renaissance Wax or a clear spray sealant.