Wire Wrapped Button Bracelet Tutorial

Nov 19

Written By

Learn how to make buttons into wire wrapped links that you can then use to make jewelry.Materials:

Buttons: really pretty wood buttons with floral designs from K & C Supplies. Click here to get them!
Beads: Autumn Colors Glass Beads from Happy Mango Beads.
18 Gauge wire
20 gauge wire
5 or 6 7 mm jump rings
Lobster claw clasp
Wire cutters
Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
A second pair of pliers (chain nose, bent nose, etc.)
Optional: Nylon jaw pliers

If you learn via video better, I shot a video tutorial on how to make the button links:Step #1Cut a piece of the 18 gauge wire to about 6 inches (you could use 20 gauge if that's what you have).Bend it loosely in half.Step #2Pull the wire onto the button like in the photo. It will click into place.Step #3 Bend out the wire ends, sort of like how you bend out the prongs on a brad.Step #4Make a mark on your chain nose pliers about halfway down. It's not important where the mark is made, but it is important that you use that mark throughout the entire project.Hold the wire above the button and line it up with the mark on the pliers.Step #5Bend the wire in a 90 degree angle against the edge of the pliers.Step #6Place your round nose pliers in the bend.(You'll notice that I also have a mark on my round nose pliers to ensure uniform loops throughout the project as well.)Step #7Wrap around the barrel of the pliers and under (between the pliers and the button).Then straighten the loop.Step #8Hold the loop in chain nose pliers and use another pair of pliers to make wraps until you reach the button. Clip any excess wire and make sure it's not poking out.Step #9Repeat for the other side.Make 4 of these links (or however many you need for the length of your bracelet.)Step #10I created 3 bead dangles to hang between each button. You could use regular store bought head pins if you like, but I made my own spiral head pins.Cut about 3 inches of the 20 gauge wire.Hold between the round nose pliers. The wire should not be poking up through the top.Step #11Roll your wrist away from you wrapping the wire around the barrel of the pliers. At the same time use your fingers to wrap it as well.Roll as far as you can, readjust the pliers and then repeat to complete a loop. It should look like a P.Step #12 Hold the loop in chain nose pliers. Bend the wire up and spiral around the original loop by readjusting the wire and bending it around.Step #13 Bend the wire up so it's straight above the spiral.Step #14Slide 3 or 4 beads onto the wire.Step #15Create a wire wrapped loop as described above in steps #4 - 8.Step #16Open a 7 mm jump ring. If you need help with this, check out my video on how to properly open and close jump rings.Step #17Add a button link, 3 bead dangles and then another button link. The button links should be facing each other with the dangles sandwiched in the middle.Close the jump ring.Step #18Continue doing this to add all of the button links.Step #19Add a lobster clasp to one side using a jump ring and then a few jump rings to the other side.I added some dangles to the the jump ring holding the lobster clasp and to the end of the other jump rings as well.Now you have a fun and unique new bracelet! Add more buttons or a chain to make a necklace instead!