Essential Tools and Materials for Wire Wrapping, Wire Weaving, and Cold Forging
By Elizabeth SchultzWhen you first start learning wire wrapping and weaving, it can feel really confusing. There are so many different tools and wires out there that it’s hard to know what you actually need. How do you know which tools are actually important and which ones can wait until you’re ready to advance your skills? That’s what I hope to answer for you in this article.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll know which tools are the most useful for beginners, and what you might want to buy as you get more acquainted with the craft. This way, you can focus on making beautiful jewelry without spending money on things you don’t really need yet.
1. Materials for Wire Wrapping and Weaving
The foundation of any wire-wrapped or woven piece lies in the quality of the wire and accompanying materials. For my designs, I generally use copper and sterling silver wire. These metals not only offer durability but also provide a beautiful, shiny finish to each piece.
The most commonly used gauges, (referring to the diameter of the wire), for wire weaving are 20 and 28 gauge round wire (dead-soft), while 20 gauge square wire and 22 gauge half-round wires (dead-soft) are most common for wire wrapping.
Copper and Sterling Silver Wire: I like to use CraftwireUSA and Rio Grande for sourcing my wire. These brands offer consistent quality, ensuring that my pieces are both sturdy and visually appealing.
CraftwireUSA also provides wire bundles so that you can try out multiple gauges for the price of a 1lb spool of wire from Rio Grande. Price wise, they tend to be about the same.
Plated Wire: If you like the sterling silver color, but don’t have the funds to buy solid sterling silver, plated wire is a great option! Parawire is my go-to brand for this type of wire. You can also find wire in a rainbow of colors if you’re looking to get really creative.
Just be aware that the plating can be accidentally worn off by your tools and also from daily wear. That’s why I recommend starting with bare copper wire as it is less expensive and no plating will come off.
If you'd like to learn more about wire, you can check out this video on Youtube:
Beads and Cabochons: Casdans is my go-to source for high-quality beads and cabochons. Their selection is vast, and the quality is exceptional, making them a reliable choice for any project! I have personally enjoyed working with her stones and use them in every tutorial I create! She also has beginner kits available with a few wire gauges, stones and tools. You can check it out here.
2. Essential Tools for Wire Wrapping and Weaving
The right tools can make or break your experience in wire wrapping and weaving. Here’s a breakdown of must-have tools, whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your collection.
Beginner Must-Haves:
If you’re just starting out, these are the tools I recommend you start out with and are necessary for creating the most basic pieces.
- Chain Nose Pliers: Perfect for gripping, bending, and manipulating wire.
- Round Nose Pliers: Essential for creating loops, bends, and curves in your wire designs.
- Flush Cutters: Used for cutting your wire. Most will cut up to 16 gauge comfortable.
- Ruler: Use to measure wire, stones, etc.
Here’s a kit I purchased for myself when I was first starting out. I really like the quality tools included as well as the carrying case. Not to mention you get to pick out your favorite color! Beadsmith Plier Set
Helpful, but not necessary:
- Ring Mandrel: Ideal for shaping and measuring rings.
- Bail Making Pliers: Great for creating consistent loops and bails.
- Nylon Jaw Pliers: Protect your wire from scratches and marks while shaping.
- Flat Nose Pliers: Useful for creating sharp bends and holding wire securely. Also great for scrunching down the weaving wire.
3. Tools for Cold-Forging
Cold-forging simply means shaping and hammering wire without the use of heat. It’s a great technique for adding dimension and texture to your pieces! Here are the tools I use:
• Bracelet Mandrel: Used for shaping and sizing bracelets.
• Convex Chasing Hammer: Perfect for flattening and texturing wire.
• Rubber Mallet: Helps in shaping without marring the surface.
• Steel Bench Block: Provides a solid surface for forging.
• Needle Files & Sandpaper (Grits 600, 1000, 2000, 3000): Essential for smoothing and finishing the wire.
Here’s a list of free and paid tutorials where I use this skill:
Free Youtube Tutorials
- Christmas Tree Earrings
- Hammered Flower Accents
- Small, Facet Hammer Setting
- Wire Leaf Earrings
- Mini Wire Weave Pendant
- ”Olympia” Cuff Bracelet
- Leaf Wire Hair Pin/Brooch
- Spiderweb Ring
Paid Written Tutorials
- ”Odessa” Cuff Bracelet
- ”Charis” Swirly Earrings
- ”Swirly Orbit” Bracelet
- ”Agatha” Hair Pin
- Snowman Earrings
- Christmas Tree Earrings
- ”Crescent Moon” Pendant
4. Oxidizing Copper Wire
To achieve that beautiful antique finish on copper wire, I use liver of sulfur gel. I find it more convenient and longer-lasting compared to the rock form. It’s easy to use and has given me consistent results. For a step-by-step guide on how to oxidize your copper wire, check out this video tutorial from my YouTube channel.
How to Use Liver of Sulfur Gel to Oxidize Copper Wire
Ready to Learn More?
Looking to learn how to wire weave? You can check out my Beginner’s Wire Weaving Course to learn the fundamentals and set yourself up for success!
You can also find free tutorials available on my YouTube channel. I do my best to upload new videos each week to keep you inspired and learning.
There is also the Artisan Tutorial Vault which is a monthly subscription that give you access to ALL available and upcoming written tutorials.
And if you have any questions, you can sign up for the “Learn to Weave” Newsletter where I send out new info about the craft each month! You can also respond to any email with your questions and I will respond to you as soon as I’m able.
My goal is to help you skip the frustrating part and start creating jewelry pieces that you’ll be proud to wear and share!
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I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful in creating your own beautiful jewelry. If you have any questions or want to share your work, don't hesitate to reach out.
Happy weaving!
