Watch as Wyatt White from Artistic Wire teaches how to make a cold connection with the Artistic Wire Crimp Tool for Large Wire Crimp Connector and examples of different ways you can create cold connection bracelets/bangles.

Cold connect large gauges of wire to making bracelets/bangles by crimping Large Wire Crimp Connectors with Artistic Wire Crimp Tool (TL00310).

Before we get started on the video, here are few important products you will need:

Large Wire Crimp Connectors

These crimps are specially designed for making cold connections with 12, 14, and 16 gauge wires. There are three sizes of crimps with three finishes to choose from.

The 1.5 mm large crimps are used with 16 Gauge wires – Z009603, Z009606, Z009609

The 2.0 mm large crimps are used with 14 Gauge wires – Z009604, Z009607, Z009610

And the 2.2 mm large crimps are used with 12 Gauge wires – Z009605, Z009608, Z009611

Or you can purchase the variety set – Z009600, Z009601, Z009602

Wire

Using size 12, 14 and 16 are thicker gauge wires, best to use for these crimp connectors.

Crimp Tool

Artistic Wire Crimp Tool for Large Wire Crimp Connectors TL00310 is a heavier duty tool to crimp larger widths of crimp tubes and for larger gauges of wire. Compared to the original crimpers that has two notches: one to curve the crimp tube and the other to fold it, the Artistic Wire Crimp Tool has only one notch that makes an indent notch to squeeze the crimp tube onto the wire.

Video Tutorial

Watch as Wyatt White from Beadalon shows how easy it is to create customized adjustable rings using the Ring Jig Tool.

Who doesn’t love adjustable rings? Especially when you can make them yourself and add small beads or charms!

What you will first need are the following for this video tutorial:

• Ring Jig Findings Form (TL00280)
• String Materials – Beadalon Half Hard Wire 
• Flat nose pliers tool
• Optional – Seed Beads

Artistic Wire shows how easy it is to assemble and make wire cones using the Contastic Inverted Mandrels in this video tutorial. Learn how to use this nifty tool today!

We are inspired to show you this video tutorial from Artistic Wire on how to make wire wrapped cones using the Contastic Cone Mandrel (Item# TL00209). Use to make bead caps, connectors, or as a holiday tree charm like in our previous blog post.

Video Tutorial

We would love to know what you think of the tool and how you use it in your jewelry making.

An assortment of Chinese crystal colors has arrived. We love the opaque and milky hues so we made some stunning earrings with Nunn Design® earwires. Check out these earrings and tutorial.

Wrapping wire can be a fun technique used to add beads to frame a hoop or link finding. Here, we used four Chinese crystal colors to wrap around these oval hoop earrings (A014374 & Z014371), creating an ombré look.

Components

• 24-Gauge Wire or 26-Gauge Wire
• Oval Hoop Earrings (A014374 & Z014371)
• 4mm Chinese Crystal Rondelle

Tutorial

1. Cut a foot of wire.
2. Coil 2-3 times around the top part of the earring hoop. (Use nylon pliers or non-serrated pliers to smooth the coil around the earring.) Pinch coil together to keep wires close.
3. Pick up a Chinese crystal bead and hold it perpendicular to the earring hoop. Wrap the wire the same direction as you’ve done in step two. Wrap around two time.
4. Repeat 11 more times.
   Note: If you want to create an ombré coloration, use four gradation of Chinese crystal colors. Wrap three beads of the same color individually then add the next color three more times, etc.
5. Make sure at the end you wrap your wire around the earring hoop three time. Cut excess wire. Use pliers to smooth the coil around the earring hoop.

Items used: WR00039, Z014371, Z007392, Z007450, Z007027, Z006915

Czech Honeycomb beads are popular! We have two easy and free tutorials on how to use these popular honeycomb beads to make a bangle and cuff bracelet.

Honeycomb Bangle by Apollinariya Koprivnik

We followed BeadSmith’s Inspiration Squad Member, Apollinariya Koprivnik’s tutorial to make this stunning honeycomb bangle. We love its mesmerizing, 3D design. We dressed the bangle with the matte jet honeycomb and accented it with gold and silver seed beads and SuperDuos.

What you will need:

• (2 strands) Z013173 – Jet Matte Honeycomb Czech Glass Beads
• A006588 – Smoke Fireline Thread 50 Yard Spool (6LB TEST)
• SB02474 – Matubo: Crystal Full Amber
• SB01171 – Size 15 Matte Black Miyuki Seed Bead
• SB00422 – Size 11 Galvanized Silver Miyuki Seed Bead
• SB03131 – MiniDuo: Jet Mat
• SB02170 – SuperDuo: Jet Amber Luster

Follow link for the BANGLE TUTORIAL.

Honeycomb Cuff

To create this wire-wrap cuff, we drew inspiration from Julie Romero’s honeycomb bangle bracelet. Follow our directions below to create this easy wire wrapped honeycomb cuff.

What you will need:

• Raw Brass Open Cuff Bracelet
• 26-gauge wire
• Qty of 26 Czech honeycomb beads

* Note: It is easier and quicker to work with shorter pieces of 26-gauge wire.

Items used for cuff bracelet: AW00088, Z002579, Z014736, Z014689