Finger Weaving With MultiColor Artistic Wire

I love taking an old technique from making friendship bracelets as a kid and updating it for my jewelry making as a grown up! This finger woven braided bracelet looks similar to the Artistic Wire Square Braid, but you can make it in any color or gauge you'd like! I recommend starting with a thinner gauge as the wire work hardens rather quickly as you are braiding it. The 22 Gauge MultiColor Wires change colors as the braid goes on for a truly unique look.

Tools:

Nylon Jaw Pliers
Bracelet Bending Pliers
Acrylic Tying Station
Tacky Mat
Bead Fix Gel

Materials:

22 Gauge MultiColor Wire
Upper Clasp
2 Jump Rings
4mm TierraCast Cord Ends

Instructions:

STEP 1
Place the Tacky Mat on your work surface and secure the top of the Acrylic Tying Station to the Tacky Mat.

STEP 2
Cut 5x 24 inches of MultiColor Wire. Use the Nylon Jaw Pliers to straighten all of the wires. Fold them in half all together so the loops are all at the same place, and twist the top all together.

STEP 3
Remove the top plate of the Tying Station and place the wire twisted part over the top screw. Replace the top plate and loosely screw the wing nut back down.

STEP 4
Use your fingers to separate the wire loops so that you are holding three loops on the first three fingers of your left hand, and you are holding two loops on the first two fingers of your right hand. Don't worry about the messy top because you'll be cutting if off before adding the cord ends.

STEP 5
Take the ring finger of your right hand (the one with no wire) and poke it through the bottom loop, through the middle loop, and around and through the top loop on your left hand. Release the wire loop from the pointer finger of your left hand and pull it back to the right.

STEP 6
Shift the two loops on your left hand so one is on your pointer, and one is on the middle finger. Pull all of wires out to the sides and wiggle your fingers to pull the wires into place.

STEP 7
Now the ring finger on your left hand is free to poke through the bottom loop on the right side, through the middle loop, and around the top and through the top loop. Release it from the pointer finger of your right hand and pull it back to the left. Shift the two loops on your right hand so one is on your pointer, and one is on the middle finger. Pull all of wires out to the sides and wiggle your fingers to pull the wires into place.

STEP 8
Continue to finger weave until your loops are too small to comfortably keep going.

STEP 9
Unscrew the top plate on the Tying Station and remove the bracelet.

STEP 10
Trim the messy wires from the top and bottom of the braid. Double check that they will fit inside of your cord ends. Use the Nylon Jaw Pliers to gently squeeze the wires together until they fit.

STEP 11
Use the Bracelet Bending Pliers to follow the natural bend of the braid to form it into a bracelet shape. Make sure you keep the Bracelet Bending Pliers on the same side of the braid to keep the square shape.

STEP 12
Use the Nylon Jaw Pliers to form the ends of the braid and double check that they will fit in the cord ends.

STEP 13
Fill one of the cord ends about 3/4 of the way with Bead Fix Gel. Place the end of the braid into the cord end. Make sure the hole is facing toward the top. Repeat on the other side with the other cord end. Allow several hours for the glue to dry.

STEP 14
Use two jump rings to attach the Upper Clasp to the cord ends.

Super fun, right? Have you taken an old technique and updated it? Show us a photo in the Jewelry Making with Beadalon Facebook Group! Be sure to follow us on all of the socials including @beadalon and @meredithjoydesigns on Instagram!

Until next time, happy beading!

Meredith