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Techniques: Wire Wrapped Triangle Bail

Add a wire wrapped loop to a briolette style bead. This technique will allow you to use your briolette and drop shape beads as dangles off of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Check out our Inspiration page for design ideas.

Click here to download a printable copy of this technique.
Beading Techniques > Wire Working Techniques > Wire Wrapped Triangle Bail

Wire Wrapped Triangle Bail Materials
  • Beads with a top drilled hole - briolette
  • Sterling Silver wire - 24 gauge shown
Tools


Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
Step 1
Cut a 4" piece of wire. Slide wire through the hole of the bead, leaving about 1 1/2 in. on the left side.
Step 2
With your fingers, bring the wires up - crossing the wires. The short piece should be in front of the longer piece.
Step 3
Using your fingers, form the wire to the briolette.
Step 4 Step 5 Step 6
Step 4
Use the tips of your chain nose pliers to grasp the short piece of wire directly above where the wires cross.
Step 5
Bend the wire down to a 90° angle.
Step 6
Use the tips of your chain nose pliers to grasp the longer piece of wire directly above where the wires cross.
Step 7 Step 8 Step 9
Step 7
Bend the wire straight up, forming a 90° angle between the two pieces of wire.
Step 8
Grasp the triangle that was created with your chain nose pliers.
Step 9
Wrap the short piece of wire around the longer piece about 1 1/2 - 2 wraps.
Step 10 Step 11 Step 12
Step 10
With your wire cutters, cut the short tail as close as possible.
Step 11
Using the tips of your chain nose pliers, grab the wire directly above the wrap.
Step 12
With your finger, push the wire to a 90° angle.
Step 13 Step 14 Step 15
Step 13
Using your round nose pliers, grasp the wire right at the bend.
Step 14
Pull the wire around the round nose pliers until it is almost pointing directly down.
Step 15
Reposition your pliers by opening your round nose pliers (but do not pull the pliers out of the loop) and pivot your pliers so the bottom tip is on the top.
Step 16 Step 17 Step 18
Step 16
Continue pulling the wire around the nose of the pliers until the loop is completely round.
Step 17
If you are attaching it to a chain or ring, this would be a good time. To then wrap the loop, grip the loop with the chain nose pliers and grip the wire with your fingers.
Step 18
Wrap the wire around the base wire. Continue wrapping the wire down to the first wrap.
Step 19 Step 20  
Step 19
Using the wire cutters, cut off the extra wire as close as you can to the wrap.
Step 20
Congratulations, you have now created a wire wrapped triangle bail!