These fun copper wire beads are really easy to make. What makes them fun is that you can make them any size that you like. Large, small, wide and narrow, and no two come out exactly alike.
These copper wire beads will be great for jewelry designs when you need some beads with larger holes. Great for stringing on leather cord.
Tweet ThisDiy Copper Wire Beads
To make these beads I cut my wire about 20 inches in length. Then I took a wooden dowel and started to wrap my wire around the dowel a few times.
Using my chain-nose pliers I pressed the end of the wire down onto the dowel.
Next I continued wrapping the copper wire around the dowel until I got the size of the wire wrapped bead that I wanted.
Once the copper wire bead is the size that I want, I then used the chain-nose pliers and press the wire down into the wire bead firmly, so it will not catch onto anything.
Now gently pull the copper wire bead off of the dowel. Now is the time to add a patina then tumble to work harden and polish.
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Supplies Needed
* Copper wire, I used 20 gauge Contenti is where I buy a lot of my copper wire
* Wood dowel, knitting needle
* Wire cutter
* Chain-nose pliers
That’s it for these easy copper wire beads. Do you make your own beads?
More Handmade Beads You May Enjoy!
Fabric wrapped beads
Wire Wrapped copper beads
Copper tube beads
Copper wire wrapped paper beads
Fire Mountain offers some free jewelry making instructions that you may find helpful.
Jewelry making video’s, tips, and techniques.
Michelle says
October 2, 2016 at 2:35 amGreat tutorial Linda, thank you. I never realized they were this easy to make and I have soooo much jewelry wire in the craft cupboard, I’m going to have to start playing around
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
October 2, 2016 at 4:04 pmThanks Michelle! I am sure you will come up with something wonderful. You are always coming up with something fun and creative.
Lynn says
December 7, 2016 at 2:34 amWill the copper tarnish and get on clothes
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
December 8, 2016 at 4:42 pmI haven’t ever had that problem. A sealer can be added ever so often for protection if worried about that.
Susan says
August 29, 2017 at 11:38 amHow do you add a patina to the copper?
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
August 31, 2017 at 4:13 amHi Susan! You can use liver of sulfur to add the patina. Just make sure your in a well ventilated area. Its pretty smelly.
thejewelcreation says
January 10, 2019 at 6:17 amThis is just fabulous! perfect jewellery piece
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
January 14, 2019 at 5:05 pmThank you! 🙂