Making Jewelry with Memory Wire: Tips, Tricks, and Creative Ideas

Making beautiful jewelry can be a complicated process, or it can be as simple as you want it to be. One very easy way to begin making jewelry is using memory wire. Memory wire is a heavy wire that holds its shape. It can make easy snap on necklaces, bracelets, rings, and even toe rings. You can use a single coil or multiple coils to create a wide variety of looks. Finishing the memory wire can be a little tricky, but ultimately this is a great project for beginners, people trying jewelry making, and even for children with a little adult help.

Where to Buy Memory Wire and What to Know While Doing It

Memory wire isn't always easy to find. Hobby Lobby and Michael's (craft stores) usually have it. You can also sometimes find it at local bead shops. If you want an easier to find product you can look for it online. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads usually has a nice selection of memory wire.

Memory wire comes in two colors, silver tone and gold tone. It is available in 3 5/8" for necklaces, 2 1/4" for large bracelets, 1 3/4" for regular size bracelets, 3/4" for rings, and 1/2" for toe rings. These sizes don't effect the finished product much because of the nature of memory wire. It snaps into place and can be reasonably stretched without effecting its shape.

Tips for Starting and Finishing

The hardest thing about memory wire is starting it and finishing it, at least when you first start out and have no idea how. This is still a fairly simple idea and is easy to master. The first step is to cut the wire. You should use a pair of hefty duty wire cutters. It is best to purchase these that the hardware store or in the hardware section rather then the craft store or the craft section. You have a few choices of finishing the ends that effects how the item looks when finished. This is something you may have to try a few different styles to find out what you like best.

Folded Over

With memory wire you can simply fold the ends over. The memory wire is tough and not easy to bend so good pair of pliers is a must. I work with a combination pair that has a wire cutter, a round nose, and a flat work space in between. It is a bad idea to cut memory wire with the wire cutters on these. The memory wire is very tough and will make it so that there are little indentations in the cutters making them harder and harder to use. However, the round nose helps you work the ends of the wire and the flat section helps you fold it tight. You can also use a pair of flat nose pliers. For this finishing type you simple fold a few millimeters of the wire over onto it's self. It will be a u that has been squashed flat. You can then bead directly on this surface, as long as the beads have small holes and won't fit over the ends.

Rounded Ends

Instead of folding your ends flat you can round them into a circle using the round nose pliers. This gives it a slightly fancier end and is easier to maneuver with the pliers. The idea behind this one is to have a small circle on either end.

Glued Bead

While gluing the ends in place isn't always the safest way and should be avoided for young children who make try to pull the beads off, it is an attractive option for an adult. Simply choose a large size bead and place it on the end. Glue it in place with a cement or super glue. I recommend Bead Fix which is strong, glues the bead in place, is fast drying like super glue, and doesn't discolor the beads (some super glues do). In this case you need to be careful that your wire doesn't poke through to the other side or it may poke someone. If it does poke through the bead and there is a sharp edge you can use a file to file down the ends.

Half Drilled Glued Bead

Using a half drilled bead is one of the easiest finishing techniques. Add a small drop of glue to the whole of the bead, be careful not to overwhelm the whole and get glue all over your bead. Insert the wire into the whole and hold in place till your glue is dry.

Memory Wire Bead Tips

There are Bead tips specially designed for use with memory wire. They are gold tone or silver tone and come in a few different sizes. I haven't seen them in stores before and have only purchased them online. They are a more costly choice then the others, but leave a very professional look. They are glued on in the same way as a half drilled bead would be.

The Beadwork

You can use a variety of beads to make creative and unique chokers, bracelets, rings, and toe rings. Once the end is finished begin adding your beads one at a time. Push them to the end, this is particularly important if you have a lot of coils of memory wire. Make sure they are tight. The other end will be finished the same as the first, however you will want to make sure there are enough beads to keep this tight.

The Design

While designing your piece really has to take before all of the above information, it is by far the most fun part of this project, other then wearing it. Most types of beads will work, but choosing beads in your favorite colors, stones, or material type can make this piece truly yours. Because this is a choker smaller beads are often best. Seed beads can be used as spacers or for the majority of the work, and other beads can be added as accents.

Getting creative can happen with memory wire. There are a wide variety of things that can be done to spice up your piece. You can add dangles of all sorts, charms, pendants, and you can even get creative using these methods. Creating your own focal point can be exciting and challenging, however, it can change a simple pattern into something exciting. You can use a bead board to lay out your pieces, though judging how long your memory wire is isn't always easy. This will allow you to keep track of your pattern if you wish.

Making Dangles

Dangles can be made with eye pins or head pins. When finishing the dangle there needs to be a small loop in the wire so that it can be strung on along your beads. If you are wanting it to be in a specific spot you can use beads larger then the wire loop to hold it in place. Other dangles can be made using wire. You can wrap a bead in wire or create a similar dangle to be added to your piece. You can also use threads or beading wire. Using beading wire is easier and crimp beads can be added to make your dangles exactly how you want them to be. Dangles can be added in a way that makes a fringe.

Adding Pendants and Charms

Charms can always be added to the end of a dangle or attached directly to the piece using a jump ring. The same can be said of a pendant with a bail. However, you can get creative and add these pieces with wire. You can wire wrap items, or you can form wire into different patterns for a unique look.

No matter what you decide, you can get very creative and make unusual and beautiful jewelry with memory wire. It doesn't have to be simple in design, it can be whatever your imagination can come up with!

Memory Wire and Kids

Kids love memory wire. It makes a necklace they can wear whenever they want. You don't have to worry about helping them or them breaking it. Additionally they can make their own or have grown up designs in a easy to wear necklace. Either way they will treasure their jewelry. You can start the necklace by folding over the first end or making a loop for a child and let them use a variety of beads to complete the necklace. Then finish if off for them and let them go. Or you can make a matching mommy and me necklace so that both of you can wear them. No matter what, it can be exciting and fun for both of you. This is a great way to bead together, you with your project, no matter what it is and your son or daughter with their project.

Memory wire can be a great way to make simple and even stunning necklaces, bracelets, rings, and toe rings. Whatever you desire to make, this can be one way to do it. Some things you will need are memory wire, wire cutters, pliers, and beads of your choice. Pendants, charms, half drilled beads, or memory bead tips can all be added to your design for added variety and for special design. As always, remember to have fun and enjoy what you do!