Comments on: Tutorial: wrap your own cord ends

By: Boo's Jewellery

Boo's Jewellery — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 16:31:57 +0000

I can’t recall specifically on these ends as it was so long ago. But I would use a gauge that was appropriate and proportional to the size and weight of the project it was being used for – and maybe the same as other wires on the piece, to co-ordinate nicely.

I suppose that most that I make tend to be around 18 to 20 gauge – most are probably 19ga.

By: AptToCraft

AptToCraft — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 13:06:15 +0000

I am a newbie at creating my own findings. What gauge wire are you using in this tutorial?

By: Boo's Jewellery

Boo's Jewellery — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:36:52 +0000

Wam; I certainly use pliers to squeeze the coil to the cord, you'd never manage it with your fingers. I'm not sure what I can add further to my description in the tutorial, I just gently squeeze the metal coil from at least one turn from the end, gradually reducing the internal diameter of the coil to make it really snug against the cord and gradually pressing into it. The very end is then squeezed right in to the cord, gripping it firmly.

If your pliers are in good shape with polished softened edges, you shouldn't mar the wire as you're squeezing gradually and gently as you work around the last turn or so of the coil.

Maybe the key point to getting a secure fit is in making the coil a snug fit to the cord to start with. Ideally, I like to have the coil a very tight fit to the cord, so that I have to shave a smidge off the end to get the coil in place, then you know it's a good tight fit to start with - you're then just encouraging it to stay put by tightening the last bit even further. Working this way with test pieces, I've tugged on them as hard as I can and they've not come away.

By: wam

wam — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 18:18:33 +0000

Thank you! I have a question about the last step in your tutorial. When you mention squeezing each ring onto the cord, do you mean with your fingers or with pliers?

If pliers, how do you squeeze and not mar the wire? I have struggled with how to secure the finding without any future slippage. I also prefer not to use glue, so how do you ensure that it is so secure that it doesn't come off the cord?

By: Boo's Jewellery

Boo's Jewellery — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:33:32 +0000

Thanks Lori, delighted that you found it useful. Apologies for how long it took to publish your comment, the new ‘streamlined’ Blogger interface is bloody hopeless – it wouldn’t publish the post at first. I left it and came back to it another day.

By: Wildream

Wildream — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:30:39 +0000

This tutorial was just what I have been looking for. Very well done! Thank you Lori.

By: Boo's Jewellery

Boo's Jewellery — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:48:55 +0000

Thanks Lori, it felt more secure and looks more balanced having two loops. In heavy wire, I only use the one and hammer it for some extra stability.

By: Lori Anderson

Lori Anderson — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:32:59 +0000

I love the double loop at the top!

By: Boo's Jewellery

Boo's Jewellery — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:20:00 +0000

Thanks Di – I’m delighted that you find it useful. I referred to it myself last week to make sure I got it right when making some.

By: Di

Di — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:53:28 +0000

Boo, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve returned to this tute over the years. Once again, thank you xx