Welcome to my Amber Pendant wire wrapping tutorial! I’m Tegan Jacobs, and I’ve been wire wrapping for over 20 years. Together with my mom Donna, we run Jacobs Trading Ye Olde Rock Shop—a small, family-owned Canadian business that’s been obsessed with genuine gemstones, rocks, and crystals for over a decade!
If you’re just starting your journey into the world of wire wrapped jewelry, you’re in the right place. This project is great for beginners, and all the supplies you need—including genuine gemstone beads, copper wire, jewelry pliers, and more—are available at our shop. Plus, you’re supporting a small business that actually knows stones (you won’t find fake beads here).
This tutorial is perfect if you’re searching for how to make a wire wrapped pendant, wire wrap jewelry instructions, or beginner wire wrapping techniques. Now, let’s get started!
Supplies List:
22ga Copper Wire
Flat Nose Pliers
Round Nose Pliers
Snips
Your chosen bead with a hole!
For this project, I used 22ga (0.6mm) wire. I personally prefer working with sterling silver, but if you're just starting out, I recommend using our 22ga copper wire—it’s softer, easier to work with, and much more budget-friendly for beginners. The tools I used include a pair of snips, flat nose pliers (with no teeth), and round nose pliers. The piece I chose to wrap is a bead from an upcycled, reconstituted amber necklace that I took apart to reuse! (View our collection of wrappable beads here!)
To start, using your thumb and index finger, smooth out the wire to make it straight and remove any bends or curve. Now this next step is very important if you want to help reduce wasted wire at the end! If I’m using a bead with a hole, I always try to remember to put it on first before beginning any wire wrapping! You can always guess and cut the wire, but sometimes it’s hard to predict just how much wire you'll need! So slide that bead on down the wire and forget about it for now! Place your round nose pliers about an inch from the end of your wire.
Wrap the wire around and back up to form a U shape. Now go just a bit farther so you form an upside-down tear drop shape. Switch to your flat nose pliers and grab the LONGER wire that goes to your spool where the wires cross.
Bend the longer side upwards following the first tear drop shape. Switch back to your round nose and place them back into the tear drop. Follow the longer wire up, around the top, and back down following the first loop. Pinch the two loops tightly with your non-dominant hand, using your other hand lift the short end of the wire up to make a right angle following under the bottom of the loop.
Now continue using your fingers to bring the short wire around the long wire. Keep wrapping it around so it looks like a spring. Stop using your fingers once you get down to the last tiny bit so you don't puncture your finger. (Ask me how I know....)
Grab your flat nose pliers and position them like the photo. Gently roll the pliers over the end wire, tapping along the way. Don't grip down too hard, let the wire slide a bit under the pliers. Roll and tap.
Your top pendant bail is now done!
Slide up your chosen bead to wrap now!
Start by positioning your bail at the height you would like it to sit at and bend the wire at a right angle through the hole. Turn to the front side and bend the wire up. Now fold it over the top of the stone and begin wrapping it around the post of the bail. You can wrap it around the top as many times as you need/want. I just went twice around.
Now we begin the swirls on the front! This part can take a bit of practice, so don't be too hard on yourself if it doesn't quite go the way you were thinking. I find letting it naturally evolve is usually the best! Don't try to do the exact same swirls that I made! Each one is unique! You can even take some scrap wire and try practicing first with making some swirls/curls with your fingers before starting on your pendant.
For the most part I usually gently, but firmly, hold the wire with my thumb and use my other hand to slowly guide the wire around in a circle. Do very short, slow movements. Don't try to go too fast! Keep it almost meditative and don't put to much focus on where you *think* the wire should go. Let your hands design it!
Once you are happy with your design, try to lead the end of the wire to either the top or bottom of the bail neck. Mine ended more to the top so I wrapped it around twice to secure my wire end.
Cut your wire with just a small amount remaining. Try to gauge the distance to lay flat somewhere it won't scratch skin or snag clothing. I usually try to cut the wire so it faces forwards, away from the body. And that it lands kind of in the middle of my 2 loops. Tuck it down using your flat nose pliers.
If the wraps you just placed down are separated a bit like mine are, you can place your flat nose pliers how I have positioned to try to gently squeeze the wires together to make it more even.
Now you mostly have completed your pendant!
Couple notes on how to take it a bit more to the next level:
If you notice on mine, with all the twisting it got a bit lopsided. I gently used my fingers to straighten it up and re-center more if needed. Now using your round nose pliers, place the side of them between the top loops to separate your bail. You may have to switch back and forth between the front and back side to make it even and straight.
And that’s a wrap—literally! 🎉
I hope you enjoyed making your own wire wrapped pendant and learned some new jewelry-making skills along the way. Remember: each piece you make is a reflection of your creativity, and no two wire wraps will ever be the same—that’s the magic of handmade art!
If you loved this tutorial, be sure to check out our other projects and stock up on gemstone beads, jewelry wire, tools, and supplies—all available at Jacobs Trading Ye Olde Rock Shop!
We’re a small family business based in Canada, and we’re passionate about sharing our knowledge of gemstones and teaching others to create beautiful, meaningful jewelry. Support local, support small, and keep wrapping!
Searching for more wire wrapping tutorials, wire wrapped stone pendant designs, or DIY gemstone jewelry projects? Stay tuned—we’ve got plenty more coming your way.
– Tegan