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Marty Blu's Wire Wrapped Turtle Bracelet, Classic Wire Jewelry. Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I love walking the beaches for relaxation and meditation.
Wire Wrapped Turtle Bracelet
by Marty Blu
  • Category: Classic
  • Technique(s): Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Living in the Pacific Northwest, I love walking the beaches for relaxation and meditation. Often I see or imagine things there that give the inspiration for a new design, such as my Turtle Bracelet. You will have fun learning to shape the body from round wire and then using a variation of the herringbone weave to form the legs. My bracelet is made of six "turtle links." As you work through the design, create as many turtles as you need, and if you make extra, well, then you will also have a matching pair of earrings!

Tip: Please read through the directions and look at the photos before you begin! To plan your bracelet, each turtle link will be about 1¼ to 1½ inches long.

Materials

21 Gauge Half Round Silver Plated Silver Copper Craft Wire - 12 ft
H17-I21HR-12FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 48.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.40
  • Gold Club Price: $5.55
Out of Stock
24 Gauge Round Antique Copper Enameled Craft Wire - 60 ft
H5-Q24-60FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 120.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.60
  • Gold Club Price: $4.20
Out of Stock
Beads
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Other wire options
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Tools

Ultimate wire-pliers Set
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $99.95
  • Gold Club Price: $74.96
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12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler
G7-30
  • G7-30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
Add to Bag
Scotch 3/4 Inch Painters Tape for Taping Wires Together
G13-5
  • G13-5
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.97
  • Gold Club Price: $4.48
Out of Stock
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Instructions
Step 1
Materials for each "Turtle Link":

1- 8″ 21-gauge round dead soft wire
1- 24″ 24-gauge round dead soft wire
1- 12mm Flat Oval Bead



For each turtle link, straighten and cut one piece of 21-gauge round silver wire. Beginning ¾" from one end, sculpt the shape of a spiny turtle body. From the beginning of the rear leg to the tip of the head should measure about 1″
Marty Blu's Wire Wrapped Turtle Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Turtle frame
Step 2
Tape both of the wire ends together. Use round nose pliers to gently shape the bottom wire of the rear legs, towards the tail.
Marty Blu's Wire Wrapped Turtle Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Turtle frame
Step 3
Using the 24-gauge copper wire from the coil or spool, and leaving a ¾" end, wrap the 24-gauge wire around the base of one leg, near the tail, and then wrap around the tail twice. Slide a bead on and center it over the body. Attach the beaded wire to the neck, wrapping twice around. Do not cut the 24-gauge copper wrap wire. Go back and make a coil with the ¾" at the beginning end.
Marty Blu's Wire Wrapped Turtle Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Wire wrapping the turtle link
Step 4
Continuing to use the 24-gauge copper wrap wire, work around each of the turtle's appendages, wrapping in rotation around the turtle's body until the 24-gauge wire is almost gone. End the wrap wire at the neck, wrapping the wire around the neck twice and then tucking it under the frame wire beneath the bead.
Marty Blu's Wire Wrapped Turtle Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Turtle link wrapped
Marty Blu's Wire Wrapped Turtle Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Back side of turtle link
Step 5
Use round, chain and flat nose pliers, as well as your fingers, to bend the turtle's legs into natural poses. Trim the 21-gauge silver frame wire ends to ½" long. Working with both wires as though they were one, use round nose pliers to form a hook, heading toward the back and insert the hook through another turtle's head; close firmly.
Marty Blu's Wire Wrapped Turtle Bracelet - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Making the connecting link
Step 6
Repeat steps 1 through 4 to create as many turtle links as desired and then link them together, forming a bracelet. To close the bracelet, you may add either a trigger or lobster claw clasp, or make your own.

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