How to Make Suncatchers
Cut several loops of bracelet-size memory wire., Use a pair of round nose pliers to fold the end of the memory wire into a loop.Pinch the end of your memory wire with the tips of your round nose pliers., Slip a faceted bead onto a headpin.You can...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Cut several loops of bracelet-size memory wire.
Use a pair of heavy duty wire cutters to do this.
Memory wire is very hard, and it can ruin a pair of more delicate jewelry-making wire cutters. -
Step 2: Use a pair of round nose pliers to fold the end of the memory wire into a loop.Pinch the end of your memory wire with the tips of your round nose pliers.
Twist the pliers away from yourself to form, but don't close the loop all the way. , For best results, use a crystal or glass bead; it will catch and reflect the light much better than a plastic one.
This only works for beads that have a hole going straight up and down through them, and not for the pendant-style beads. , Cut the head pin with a pair of wire cutters (you can use jewelry making wire cutters here).Next, grip the tip of the headpin with your pliers, and roll it towards the bead to form a loop.If the loop is off-centered or crooked, use a pair of needle nose pliers to fix it., Use a pair of needle nose pliers to open the loop on the memory wire, if needed.
Slip the headpin onto the memory wire's loop, then use your needle nose pliers to close it again. , For example, you could use seed beads, small faceted beads, and large faceted beads. ,, -
Step 3: Slip a faceted bead onto a headpin.You can use the standard teardrop shape
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Step 4: or something more interesting
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Step 5: such as a ball
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Step 6: or star.
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Step 7: Trim the headpin down to ΒΌ-inch (0.64-centimeters)
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Step 8: then use a pair of round nose pliers to twist the tip into a loop.
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Step 9: Slip the headpin onto the memory wire
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Step 10: then close the memory wire's loop all the way.
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Step 11: Slip beads onto the memory wire.You can use all one type of bead
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Step 12: or experiment with different shapes
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Step 13: and colors.
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Step 14: Twist the other end of your memory wire into a loop.Use the same technique as before: pinch the end of the memory wire with your round nose pliers
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Step 15: then roll it into a loop.
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Step 16: Slip some string through the loop.Tie the ends of the string to form a loop
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Step 17: then hang it from a hook.
Detailed Guide
Use a pair of heavy duty wire cutters to do this.
Memory wire is very hard, and it can ruin a pair of more delicate jewelry-making wire cutters.
Twist the pliers away from yourself to form, but don't close the loop all the way. , For best results, use a crystal or glass bead; it will catch and reflect the light much better than a plastic one.
This only works for beads that have a hole going straight up and down through them, and not for the pendant-style beads. , Cut the head pin with a pair of wire cutters (you can use jewelry making wire cutters here).Next, grip the tip of the headpin with your pliers, and roll it towards the bead to form a loop.If the loop is off-centered or crooked, use a pair of needle nose pliers to fix it., Use a pair of needle nose pliers to open the loop on the memory wire, if needed.
Slip the headpin onto the memory wire's loop, then use your needle nose pliers to close it again. , For example, you could use seed beads, small faceted beads, and large faceted beads. ,,
About the Author
Jennifer Myers
Brings years of experience writing about DIY projects and related subjects.
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