Page 14      Making Loops in Larger Gauge Jewelry Wire -- Jewelry Making Technique

Making a loop in 16 gauge and larger jewelry wire is not as easy as making the same loop in 18 gauge and smaller gauges of wire.  For this reason, we have a modified technique for making loops in larger gauges of wire. 

Step 1:  While, holding your pliers in your non-dominant hand, grasp the wire in your round nose or step jaw pliers with about 1/8" of wire sticking beyond the edge of the jaws of the pliers as shown at left. 

Step 2:  Push the wire with the thumb of your dominant hand until the wire bends slightly more than 180 degrees.  When you reach the point where the jaws of your pliers will not allow you to push the wire any further, proceed to step 3. 

Step 3:  Re-orientate the wire in the jaws of  your pliers so that you can complete the loop.  This will require re-gripping the wire so that you will have room to push it further.

Step 4:  Push the wire so that it makes more than a complete loop as shown at right.  Your goal is to have the wire tightly follow the round shape of your pliers for more than a complete loop. 

Step 5:  Remove the wire from your pliers and it should appear as shown at left. 
 

Step 6:  Cut the excess wire with your flush cutter.  Remember to orientate the jaws of your flush cutter so that the flat side of your flush cutter is toward the finished loop. 

Step 7:  After cutting the excess wire, your loop should appear as shown at left.  Please note that this loop is partially opened and needs to be closed to be finished. 

Step 8:  Close the loop by gripping the loop in the jaws of your bent chain nose pliers and twisting the loop closed.  The finished loop should appear as shown at right.