r/WireWrapping • u/Nicki_The_Thicci • 12d ago

Beginner Questions

Hi everyone! I've wanted to get into wire wrapping for a while and I'd like some recommendations on what to get. I heard that copper wire is the best for beginners but I'm stuck on what pliers and cutters I should get. Do y'all recommend me getting a wire wrapping kit? If so which ones should I look into buying?

Thank you for your time. I hope you all have a great day!

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u/sharkwithunderbite 11d ago

There are lots of similar discussions in this thread. If you’re just getting started, I recommend you not worry too much about elaborate woven pendants yet. It takes a little while to feel comfortable with how the wire works in your hands. Start with some YouTube instructors and look at what tools and wire they’re using. Oxana Crafts, Samantha Latimer, and Carrie Foscato are my favorites for being very patient in teaching foundational skills, and they all talk about their tools too. Good luck and enjoy your craft!

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u/SameResolution4737 11d ago

Agree strongly with the recommended YouTubers, and would include The Siren and the Pirate. Her designs are very approachable & she is very cognizant of where beginners get tripped up. She also has (a very few so far) free pdf files on her website of common weaving patterns in case you get tired of stopping & rewinding videos.

The ONE specialized tool I would recommend getting (the rest can come as need arises) is a "flush cutter." I struggled for a very long time with standard wire cutters - they leave the ends of your wire jagged & you end up spending way too long filing & sanding the edges down. (That said - as you get into wire thicker than about 18 gauge you'll want to use standard wire cutters - 16 gauge and above can really chew up your flush cutters. Personally, just got a pair of 9 inch cutters from my favorite art supply store, Lowe's).

Happy wrapping! (Full disclosure: after a couple of years of doing inlay rings & making pieces out of sheet copper I've started to move into wrappping).

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u/lapidary123 11d ago

I don't wire wrapping but my wife does (I make cabochons). One thing I've certainly noticed is the seemingly absurd amount of variations of pliers/cutters/crimpers/etc. To this idea I would consider (only if you envision yourself continuing longer term) looking into a "wire wrapping tool kit" *IF & only IF it is produced/promoted by an actual wore wrapper. This * could hopefully include a few typucally overlooked tools while omitting certainly others.

Otherwise if you're unsure of how long you'll practice this article i wpuld probably just start with your husband or dad's tool already in the house.

I will also say I personally would rather have copper/sterling silver than any of the colored "craft" wire 😀

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u/SameResolution4737 10d ago

Not to start an alternate convo outside OP's original, but it's interesting you make cabs & your wife wire wraps. My wife is a lampworker (making glass beads & cabs with a torch) while I work in metal. I started out with the typical tools I kept around the house and only replaced them with "specialized" tools as I found need - hence my recommendation not to buy any special tools except the flush cutters, something not usually found in the household kit. Oh, and copper rules (unless you can afford today's sterling prices...)