What is memory wire?
Memory wire is a type of circular wire that “remembers” its shape, making it perfect for jewelry making. It’s also inexpensive and easy to use. Because the wire can stretch like a slinkie, it can fit a child’s or an adult’s wrist. Jewelry made with memory wire doesn’t need a clasp on either end, which makes it easy to put on and take off. The wire can be cut to different lengths for double or triple wraps, and only requires a few simple tools to close off the ends. It comes in sizes for rings, bracelets, and necklaces. When making bracelets with children, adults will need to handle cutting and bending the wire ends, but kids can easily do everything else. What is there not to love?
What size beads can be used on memory wire?
Memory wire is usually between 18-to-22 gauge, so almost any size bead can fit. I usually use e-beads, which are a little larger than seed beads, but as long as I use spacer beads that are larger than the loops I make on each end, I can even use beads with very large holes. Stone chips work well also.
How much wire do I need to make a bracelet?
I generally cut one and a half loops of wire for each beaded loop around my wrist, but I take the size of the recipient’s wrist and the beads used into consideration. Children may only want to make a bracelet that loops one time, but adults usually prefer one that loops two or three times around the wrist.
Supplies
You will need a package of medium sized memory wire, whatever beads you want to use, a pair of needle-nose pliers, a pair of round-nose pliers, a pair of wire cutters and a piece of felt or a small container for the beads you’ll be using.
Instructions
- Choose the beads you would like to use and put them in a container or on a piece of felt.
- Cut the length of wire you will be using with your wire cutters.
3. Using the needle-nose pliers, bend one end of the wire just under a half an inch from the end at a 90-degree angle.
4. Using the round-nose pliers, grab the end of the wire you just bent and turn it around the end of your pliers, making a loop that connects to where the loop began. This will be one end of the bracelet.
5. Start adding beads. I like to use colors in the same color family and add them randomly, but you could also create a repeated pattern using two or more colors. To get the beads to the end of the bracelet, hold the wire from the open end, then pull down from the bottom. This will make the beads slide all the way down. You can also just push them to the end when they start to get in your way.
6. When you think you have enough beads on the wire. try it on around your wrist while holding the open end so the beads won’t fall off.
7. If you’re happy with the length, bend the wire just after your last bead at a 90-degree angle, cut the wire with your wire snips just under a half an inch away, then make another loop with the round-nose pliers so no beads will fall off.
Your memory wire bracelet is done!
