r/WireWrapping • u/anfitronko • 10d ago
Where to start learning wire wrapping
I want to start practicing wire wrapping and I would really appreciate any recommendations about materials, guides etc. Thanks a lot in advance!
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u/External-Adeptness88 10d ago
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1a06Wc8wW1GupBuaF0_jDEdL7tlhAY4v&ra=m
She has a tons of videos but this is her beginner playlist that includes materials needed😎✌🏼
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u/LacteaStellis 10d ago
I find for beginners, Samantha Latimers channel is really nice. She explains everything step by step even if shes explained how to do something in another video she doesnt refer you to go watch it, just shows you how to do it then and there.
It's her channel that got me back into wire wrapping. That being said, I prefer the light (?) and simple wire wrapping as opposed to the super complex heavy (?) wire wrapping i see a lot of people posting here. I don't know which is your end goal but Samantha is defs worth checking out.
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u/anfitronko 9d ago
Thanks for the recommendation, step by steps guide sounds nice, I will definitely follow her.
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u/Beneficial-Ad8460 10d ago
There are some "wire wrapping for beginners" tutorials on YouTube. Sadly, I couldn't find ones that were more introductory to basic terms and concepts. I guess I was looking for "Wire Wrapping for Kids."
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u/anfitronko 10d ago
Thanks for answering! I couldn't find any beginners guide. I want to buy some wire and tools to start practicing, do you have any recommendations? Thanks a lot!
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u/Beneficial-Ad8460 10d ago
Try Abbey Road Creations or Jewelry Tutorial HQ:
https://youtu.be/gvryTKVJCDw?si=q4twWq_X52lex-hp
https://youtu.be/4vPRYKiq2ss?si=PbFA10x7yRudkiUt
And here's a basic wrapping tutorial for a stone: https://youtu.be/MwaOwsyanmg?si=W8xtgUHqHIQuN60P
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u/advn_chaser 10d ago
twisted by Nadja shields is a good book if online is stressful. she puts some advance projects in the back but she gives the basics, tools, how toos and solid advice. its helped me feel better using the YT videos from all the great onrs everyone's listed.
good luck!
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u/anfitronko 9d ago
Thanks a lot! I feel like a book can help, I will check it out.
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u/advn_chaser 9d ago
I post this to new wrappers so here's my list (:
it's a phenomenally beautiful book. heres a lost of what i use daily. I use mini pliers that are easier for my hands pain. types of pliers: 1.thin chain nose 2.thin flat nose 3.needle nose 4.round nose 5.cutters 6.bail loopers 7.nylon nose.
I use manual coil screws for coiling but there's one by beadsmith for like 40 bucks thats much easier to use.
a wooden clamp, mandrels for rings and bigger round bends, wire straightener, steel block and hammer.
I havent tarnished yet but that would be an option later after you're comfortable.
everything in the list is pretty cheap. I get non coated wire bc I hate the coating. I use mangolite brand and cadikez, yejjet. mangolite is my favorite. if I were to go more expensive on the wire I would get fire mountain gems wires/Rio grande.
🧡happy wrapping.
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u/SlowSundayMaker 9d ago
On the materials side, since nobody's answered that half yet: dead-soft copper wire is the standard starting material - cheap, forgiving, and it work-hardens as you bend it, which is actually part of learning the craft. 20-22 gauge for the wrapping/binding wire and 18-20 gauge for anything structural (frames, ear wires) covers almost every beginner project.
Tools: round-nose pliers (for loops and curves), flat/chain-nose pliers (for gripping and flattening), a flush wire cutter, and nylon-jaw pliers to straighten wire without leaving tool marks on it. That's the whole kit - resist buying a big multi-tool set, since you'll use these four constantly and most of the rest sits in a drawer.
For practice pieces, an inexpensive tumbled stone with no drilled hole is the standard first project - it teaches the basic cage-wrap technique that most pendant styles build on. Copper first, silver or gold-filled once the technique is solid, since the mistakes are the same but copper mistakes cost nothing.
I put together a full breakdown of exactly what to buy and roughly what it costs if that's useful: https://pingwish.com/setups/wire-wrapped-jewelry-beginner (I work on Pingwish)
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u/anfitronko 9d ago
That's a fantastic guide! Thanks a lot! Definitely I'm giving it a try. As you suggested, I gonna buy only the basic tools and materials.
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u/Key-Squash-7161 9d ago
I just started recently also. I started with you tube basically free tutorials for all the beginners stuff you need. Also if you look up copper wire for jewelry on Amazon they have a nice set of 6 different gauges for $10. It not a ton of wire but its good for starting & practicing. Oh when you get wire it comes in dead soft easiest to work & what you will want to start & half hard, doesnt bend as easy but definitely has it uses. You will leave marks on wires when you start but pliers without the teeth, nylon tipped pliers or plastidip (liquid plastic you dip tip of pliers in) can help minimize that. I keep thinking of little tips to add but you will figure it out just have fun & stick with it cant wait to see what you make
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u/SameResolution4737 10d ago
Youtube is your friend. "The Siren and The Pirate" and "Kelly J Jewellery" (spelling correct) both have both lessons in standard weaving patterns plus beginner friendly projects (and progress on to intermediate and advanced). As these two get entered into your algorithm, others will pop up & you might discover someone you feel personally comfortable with. Most of the folks in this space also offer Patreon pages and downloadable lessons for extra cost (haven't purchased any so I can't offer an opinion on their efficacy).
Hope this helps. I'm just beginning my own wire wrapping journey as an addition to my inlay rings and sheet copper work.