Craft Crazy: 3 New Uses for Jewelry Wire

Jewelry wire is an incredibly versatile material that can be used to create hundreds of different craft projects from personalized gifts to decorative items for the home. The wire is available in a range of different materials, colors and gauges for almost every type of project imaginable and allows you to express yourself in a variety of creative ways. The following ideas are suitable for crafters of all ages and experience levels, and each one enables you to add your own individual twist.

Candleholders

Wire candleholders are incredibly easy to create and make fantastic center pieces. Thread some small beads or crystals onto long strands of wire and space them two or three inches apart. Wrap the wire around some ordinary glass candleholders and arrange it according to your preference. For more ambitious crafters, a wire tree candleholder is a stunning addition to every home.

Start by cutting around 50 lengths of wire, and begin wrapping the edges of a few pieces of wire around the base of a candle to form a spiral that will hold the candle in place. Make as many spirals as you like depending on how many candles you would like your tree to hold. Twist the remaining pieces of wire together to form tree branches, and then wrap all the wires together to form your tree trunk leaving around three or four inches at the end to make the tree roots.

Wine Glass Charms

Wine glass charms are a great idea for parties, and can even be used instead of name cards at a wedding or formal party. Write the names of each of your guests on a piece of paper in cursive handwriting using a large font. Take a long piece of wire, and bend the wire so it forms each name using needle nose pliers. Attach each name to small circles of wire, and place the circles around the stem of each guest’s wine glass. Adding some charms or crystals to the circles will make beautiful personalized party favors for each of your guests.

Picture Frames

Picture frames are one of the easiest items to make as you can purchase plain ones and decorate them by adding wire spirals, flowers, hearts and any other shapes you like. Purchasing the supplies yourself from a site such as WigJig.com and creating elegant frames yourself is much cheaper than buying those that are readymade. Try creating a 3D effect by using very fine wire and coiling it in spirals pointing away from the frame in many different directions. For a stunning christening gift, write the name of the baby in wire and attach it to a new frame. You can add pink or blue beads depending on whether it’s intended for a boy or a girl, and the frame will make a wonderful keepsake for the baby as it grows up.

There are thousands of other ways to use jewelry wire, and it can transform even the most mundane household item into a beautiful work of art in minutes. Try experimenting with many different gauges and materials to find one that suits you best, and then let your imagination run wild with a variety of different projects.

Jewelry wire is a versatile material that can be used to create a wide range of creative crafts. Here are some ideas for craft projects using jewelry wire:

1. Wire-Wrapped Gemstone Pendants: Create beautiful wire-wrapped pendants by wrapping jewelry wire around polished gemstones. You can add beads or additional wire elements for extra flair.
2. Wire Sculpture: Experiment with wire to create three-dimensional sculptures or abstract art pieces. You can twist, bend, and shape the wire into various forms.
3. Wire-Wrapped Earrings: Design your own unique wire-wrapped earrings by shaping wire into intricate designs, such as hoops, spirals, or abstract shapes. Add beads or crystals for extra elegance.
4. Wire-Wrapped Rings: Craft wire-wrapped rings by bending and twisting wire into ring shapes. You can adorn them with small gemstones, beads, or wire accents.
5. Wire Bead Tree Sculpture: Make a miniature wire tree sculpture using beads as leaves. Create a wire frame for the tree trunk and branches and attach beads to mimic foliage.
6. Wire-Wrapped Bracelets: Create custom wire-wrapped bracelets by twisting and shaping wire into bangles or cuffs. Add charms, crystals, or beads for added decoration.
7. Wire-Wrapped Keychains: Personalize your keychains by wrapping jewelry wire around the keyring and adding decorative elements, such as initials, symbols, or small charms.
8. Wire-Wrapped Napkin Rings: Design elegant napkin rings by shaping jewelry wire into circular shapes and embellishing them with beads or crystals. They make lovely table decorations.
9. Wire-Wrapped Picture Frames: Decorate plain picture frames by wrapping wire around the edges. You can create intricate patterns or designs to make your frames stand out.
10. Wire-Wrapped Candle Holders: Transform plain glass candle holders by wrapping wire around them in various designs. You can also add beads and gems for extra sparkle.
11. Wire-Wrapped Sun Catchers: Create beautiful sun catchers by bending wire into various shapes and attaching colorful beads or crystals. Hang them near windows to catch the light.
12. Wire-Wrapped Hair Accessories: Make unique hairpins or combs by crafting wire into intricate designs and embellishing them with beads, pearls, or gemstones.
13. Wire-Wrapped Wine Charms: Craft wine charms by shaping wire into small rings and adding decorative elements like beads, miniature charms, or personalized tags.
14. Wire-Wrapped Napkin Holders: Design napkin holders by shaping wire into circular or square shapes and adding decorative wire patterns or beads for a stylish table setting.
15. Wire-Wrapped Plant Stakes: Label your plants with wire-wrapped stakes by creating small signs or labels from wire and attaching them to wooden stakes or plant markers.

Remember to use the appropriate gauge of jewelry wire for your specific project and have the necessary wireworking tools, such as pliers and cutters, to help you create your wire crafts more easily and safely.

About the Author

Wynona Zaph is a craft guru. She enjoys writing about inventive ways to create new projects and beautiful designs.