How to Wrap a Donut Bead
Wire Wrapping Tutorial
Copyright 2009 Donna Spadafore
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Learn how to wrap a donut bead with this easy to follow wire wrapping tutorial. I'd like to give a special thanks to Donna for submitting so many beautiful tutorials. You can find more of her tutorials on my website linking from the Making Wire Jewelry page
Enjoy!

Instructions
This tutorial teaches you how to wrap a donut
bead. It's a very easy way to get a great look,
quickly.
This tutorial only shows the basic technique,
however, with a little imagination, you can come
up with some really great pieces. Use beads,
charms and other accessories to add flair to your
finished pendant.
Materials:
- 8" 20 gauge round wire
- 7' 26 or 28 gauge round wire
- 25mm donut bead
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Tools:
- Wire Cutters
- Round Nose Pliers
- Bent Nose or Flat Nose Pliers
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Step 1
Using the 26g wire, coil a section of the 20g wire
approximately 3" long.
This will leave room for a 1/4" wide bail. For a
thinner bail, coil a 3 1/8" section.
Slide coil to the center of the 20g wire.
Do NOT cut the wrapping wire. You will use this
for the bail in step 5. |
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Step 2
Bend the ends of the 20g wire on both sides of
the coil. Bends should be right at the ends of the
coil. |
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Step 3
Shape the coiled section of wire into a circle.
An old pill bottle or something else round works
well for this. |
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Step 4
Put the donut bead on a flat surface. Place the
wire circle around the donut and check to see
that the circle is not too big or too small around
the donut.
If it is too big, un-coil some of the wire, then
reposition the bend.
If it is too small, un-bend one side of the wire and
coil a little bit more. Bend the wire again at the
end of the coil.
When making adjustments, be careful not to
overwork the wire as this will cause it to break. |
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Step 5
Begin weaving the wire around the ends of the
20g wire in a figure "8" as shown below.

|
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Step 6
Continue until this section is about 3/4" long. |
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Step 7
Coil the remaining 26g wire up one of the 20g
wires. If there is not enough to coil it completely,
press the end of the wire flat against the 20g wire
and add another piece. Continue to the end of the
20g wire. |
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Step 8
Wrap the other 20g wire completely with another
piece of 26g wire. |
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Step 9
Bend the woven section in half, with the coiled
ends towards the back of the frame. |
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Step 10
Bring the ends of the 20g wire up through the
center of the donut. |
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Step 11
Making sure the donut is centered in the coiled
ring; bring the 20g wires up flat against the front
of the donut. |
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Step 12
Bend the ends of the 20g wire to the back of the
pendant, one on each side of the bail. |
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Step 13
Bend the wires down against the back of the
donut to help shape them. |
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Step 14
Cut the wires about 3/8" past the edge of the
donut. You may have to uncoil about 1/4" of the
26g wire on each side. |
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Step 15
Bend the wires around the bottom of the bail.
Press them tight using your pliers. |
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This is a very simple and quick wrap. After a little
bit of practice, it usually takes approximately 30
minutes to complete wrap a donut this size.
You can also add beads to the wrapping wires,
create loops to hang other beads or charms from,
or anything else you want to do. Use your
imagination to create gorgeous, one of a kind
pieces easily. |
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About the Artist: Donna Spadafore is a self taught jewelry artist who has spent years
improving her techniques and creating new, original jewelry designs. She
now teaches many of her designs to her students using on-line tutorials
available on her web-site. If you are interested in learning new and
wonderful jewelry techniques, go to http://www.gailavira.com/tutorials
Did you enjoy this article? Please give it a "like" to let us know ~Christine
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