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Wrap With a 4-Strand Braid Pattern

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Category:

Jewelry

Type:

Pendant

Skill Level:

Novice

Basic Skills Necessary:

To complete this tutorial you should have basic knowledge of wire tools. I'll show you the rest!

Pattern Description:

As a wire wrapper, I'm constantly looking for ways to make the wrap better, easier, and more beautiful. I think we've all tried using a braid to wrap stones but it's not always the most stable. I have really long hair and so I've done a lot of braid research - and it suddenly occurred to me to try to adapt a 4-strand braid for wire!

After some experimentation I've pretty well perfected it - I can wrap the slipperiest stones in about six minutes!

This technique gives you a solid foundation and allows for infinite diversions from the main steps to create a design that's uniquely yours.

The brown beach glass shown in the promo photos is the exact one covered within the steps. I also include suggestions for several variations on the braid and how it can be applied in different ways.

Hope you enjoy making these as much as I enjoyed putting these instructions together for you.

Materials:

round artistic wire- 20 or 22 gauge
a stone to wrap
a stationary hook
flush cutters
bent chain nose pliers