Simple Wire Loop

© by Rena Klingenberg; all rights reserved

A simple wire loop is used in a variety of jewelry projects. Here's how to make a nice, neat one - really fast.

Finished simple loop

Skill Level: Beginner

Supplies and Tools:

1 piece of round wire, 18 to 24 gauge, about 3" (7.6 cm) long
round-nose pliers
chain-nose pliers

Procedure:

Gather your tools and wire:

About halfway up one jaw of your round-nose pliers, mark a line using a Sharpie marker. If you always place your wire on this line when making a loop, all of your loops will turn out the same uniform size:

Place one end of your wire between the jaws of your round nose pliers. Make sure the wire is aligned with the line you've marked on your pliers:

Use a finger from your other hand to help roll the wire completely around one jaw of your pliers, to make the loop:

Take the wire out of your round nose pliers. You now have a nice loop, but it's lopsided and not centered - it's more like the letter P.

Pick up your chain-nose pliers and using the very tips of them, grasp the inside of the loop just above the main wire stem:

Now very gently bend the loop to center it over the main wire stem:

Use your chain nose pliers to straighten and flatten your project:

All done! You've made a simple wire loop - and it was fast and easy.

Finished simple wire loop