Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet, Classic Wire Jewelry. Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. Sue Beck was a runner-up in our 2009 contest with her free form pendant design.
Herringbone Bracelet
by Suzanne Hollingsworth
  • Category: Classic
  • Technique(s): Making Findings, Making Loops, Making Spirals, Texturing, Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
Sue Beck was a runner-up in our 2009 contest with her free form pendant design. The possibilities that you can create with a simple wire bundle are endless - and here is a lovely example of a shaped bundle that you can adorn with beads of your choice.
Special Instructions: If you prefer, you can use 21g round wire for the links, and either leave them smooth or hammer them slightly. For larger wrists, allow extra wire.

Materials

21 Gauge Square Half Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-21SQH
  • Lesson Quantity: 76.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 10FT
  • Price: $63.40
  • Gold Club Price: $47.55
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4mm Jonquil 5301 Bi-Cone Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 10
A13-12A
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.57
  • Gold Club Price: $1.18
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6mm Peridot 5301 Bi-Cone Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 10
A13-60B
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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Tools

4.5 Inch Round Nose Pliers
G2-12
  • G2-12
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.98
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6.5 Inch Long Flat Nose Pliers - Pack of 1
G2-74
  • G2-74
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.87
  • Gold Club Price: $7.40
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4-1/2 Inch Chain Nosed Pliers with Ergonomic Handles
G2-68
  • G2-68
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.98
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12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler
G7-30
  • G7-30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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C.H.P Milano Angled Flush Cutter, 5-1/4 Inches
PLR-489.00
  • PLR-489.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $19.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.98
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3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister (Cordless Screwdriver)
G5-15
  • G5-15
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $42.97
  • Gold Club Price: $32.23
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Instructions
Step 1
Cut and twist 50” of 21 gauge square 1/2 hard wire. Although you can use a pin vise to twist it, I prefer a slow speed drill for this much wire.
Step 2
Measure and mark 4” from one end of wire. With round nose pliers make a wrapped loop with approximately 12 turns to measure 1/2” of wraps. The loop itself needs to be large enough to act as the “eye” of the hook/eye clasp.

Note: Because you started with half hard wire and twisted it, you have work hardened your wire even more and your wraps will not be very pretty in this step. Not to worry, they will be covered up later.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 3
Thread on 2, 4mm Swarovski beads, 1, 6mm Swarovski bead, and 2, 4mm Swarovski beads. Measure and mark1/2 “ from the end of the beads and make a mark.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 4
Complete the wrapped loops as before.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 5
Hold the beaded unit so the wrap wire is pointing up and over the base wire. Take this wire around the beads, over the base wire for one loop. Your wire will now be ready to do the same thing on the other side of the beads. (At this point I like to turn my work so I am always working left to right.)
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 6
Bring your wire around the side of the beads; make a complete loop going over the base wire, around under it, and back on top. Your wire will now be in position to add another strand next to the very first you added.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 7
Continue going beside the beads, making a wrap, beside the beads, making a wrap, until you reach the ends of the base wire. Trim and tuck your wrap wire.
For a 7.5” bracelet you will need 6 spiral links at 3.5” of wire plus 1 hook link at 4” of wire. Adjust accordingly to your size wrist. A shortcut is to cut and twist a long piece of wire, and then cut your unit lengths from that.

For example, I need 6 units at 3.5” each, 1-hook unit at 4”, so I cut 26 (25 with an added inch just in case), twisted it, then cut my link lengths.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 8
With a piece of the 3.5” wire, using your round nose pliers make a very small loop at the end.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 9
Changing to your flat nose, make a spiral 4 wires wide.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 10
Using your pliers as a measuring tool, measure the width of your pliers and make a bend. The exact measurement is not important, as long as you are consistent with all the links. My pliers make a bend that ends up being about 3/8 up the side of the wire, or about 1/4“ from the top of the loop to the apex of the bend. Yours may vary depending on your pliers.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 11
Bring your wire down to lay against the other side of the spiral. Note in the picture I cut my wire long for photographic purposes. Yours will be shorter.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 12
Continue to curve wire to the bottom of the spiral. Using your flat nose pliers, make a 90° bend in the wire
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 13
Make a closed loop going in the opposite plane from the spiral. Trim wire.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 14
Make the rest of your links, taking care that the closed loop faces the same way on all of the links.
Step 15
Make your hook. Make a spiral link as before, but instead of making a “point” at the top, continue the curve to the center of the top of the spiral, bend up at 90 degrees, then back down making the hook part approximately3/4”.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 16
Continue as for a spiral link, taking the wire to the back of the spiral and making a loop perpendicular to the spiral as you did on all the links before.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 17
With your round nose pliers positioned in the center of your long hook portion, bend that portion back onto itself to form the actual hook. Be sure the hook opens in the same direction as the loop made earlier. See picture.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 18
Make a little bend at the tip of the hook with your round nose pliers to complete the hook.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 19
Optional: While holding the loop of your links off the bench block, slightly flatten the spiral portion with a chasing hammer. Do not do this to the hook, just the links.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 20
Put everything together. The loop of each link will connect to the pointed end of the next link. One loop will attach to one side of the herringbone wrap, leaving the hook to attach to the other side of the herringbone wrap.
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Suzanne Hollingsworth's Herringbone Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Texturing, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,