Free Jewelry Tutorials - Wire Wrapping and Metalsmithing Jewelry Tutorials
Ever want to learn how to make your own jewelry? Jules offers free jewelry tutorials on wire wrapping and metalsmithing. Low cost jewelry tutorials are also offered along with handcrafted one-of-a-kind wire wrapped jewelry and metalsmithed jewelry for your online shopping convenience or when in Tucson, feel free to call and set up an appointment for viewing our entire line of jewelry.
All jewelry tutorials are available for download in Adobe (PDF) format, with free jewelry tutorials available immediately - just select what you want and download it - and the low cost jewelry tutorials are downloadable once payment has been received. Jewels by Jules's low cost jewelry tutorials are available in beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.
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Simple Loops
Level: Beginner
Cost: Free
This tutorial guides you through creating simple loops using a wire template. With this technique, big or small loops can be made. Craft or copper wire is an inexpensive way to get started learning wire wrapping techniques.
Also included in the tutorial is an explanation with pictures of the difference between a pinch cut and a flush cut. At the end of the tutorial are instructions on how to a bead to your wire with simple loops on both sides of the bead and how to properly open and close simple loops so that they can be connected.
Materials:
- 20 gauge dead soft or half hard craft or copper wire, 6”
Tools:
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
- Ruler
- Sharpie or tape
Download the free Simple
Loops tutorial 
.
Wrapped Loops
Level: Beginner
Cost: Free
This tutorial guides you through creating wrapped loops using a wire template. With this technique, big or small loops can be made. Craft or copper wire is an inexpensive way to get started learning wire wrapping techniques.
Also included in the tutorial are instructions on placing a bead and making a second wrapped loop on the same piece of wire and instructions on how to connect wrapped loops.
This tutorial is based on the concept of the Simple Loops tutorial. Even if you know how to make simple loops, it is advised that you download and read through the Simple Loops tutorial before starting this tutorial.
Materials:
- 20 gauge dead soft or half hard craft or copper wire, 6"
Tools:
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Needle nose pliers
- Ruler
- Sharpie
- Tape
Download the free Wrapped
Loops tutorial .
Leather Loop Ends
Level: Beginner
Cost: Free
Learn to make looped leather ends with half round, half hard 20-gauge wire. This is a quick and easy technique that uses minimal wire. I love it because a spiral hook can be used and a jump ring is not needed to attach the hook and better yet, the spiral hook slips into a looped leather end quite nicely!
Materials:
- 3 inches 20-gauge half round, half hard wire
- 1.5 or 2 mm leather cord
Tools
- Needle nose pliers
- Wire cutter
Note: I use 2 mm thick Greek leather cord. I have also used this technique with 1.5 mm cord and it works just as well. I have not tried any other cord sizes.
Download the free Leather
Loop Ends tutorial .
Copper & Brass Patina
Level: Beginner
Cost: Free
Learn how to patina copper or brass with ammonia, vinegar, sea salt, and hamster bedding. Try out different "cooking" times for different colorations on your metals. This is an easy process to achieve unique look on your jewelry! You can also experiment with the mixture - there is an example at the end of the tutorial of one of my experiments! This does not work on sterling silver.
Materials:
- Disposable plastic container, 3 1/8 cup size
- 1/3 cup clear ammonia
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 2 tbs. sea salt
- 2 cups hamster bedding
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cup
- Copper tongs
- Green scrubbie
- Ajax or Comet
- Clear spray paint
Download the free Copper
& Brass Patina tutorial .
Metalsmithing Tools 1
Level: Beginner
Cost: Free
This tutorial describes some basic metalsmithing tools and their uses. The first group listed is the bare essentials while the second group listed I think of more as the bells and whistles tools and can be added as you advance with your skills in metalsmithing.
Tools:
- Plastic or leather mallet
- Chasing hammer
- Goldsmith's hammer
- Anvil or metal block
- Files, sandpaper, and steel wool
- Scribe
- Saw frame and blades
- Bench pin with clamp
- Bracelet and ring mandrels
- Dremel or Foredom
- Drill bits
- Grinder set
- Wrap and tap pliers
- Forming pliers
- Parallel pliers
- Disposable butane torch
PLEASE NOTE: Prices quoted on tools are from my personal research and purchases as of November 2008.
Download the free Metalsmitting
Tools tutorial .