Wire-wrapped double bail for pendants

Carol Dekle-Foss

Last week, I was able to finish my pendants and I wanted to share how I wire-wrap them with a double bail. I like using double bails because they help prevent larger pendants from turning around when worn. For the life of me, I cannot remember where I learned this. Probably a found video somewhere, most likely YouTube.

This is a simple technique that takes just a little bit of practice. I hope you find it helpful in your jewelry creations!

The below video shows how I do this with a side-drilled pendant but this process also works with a front-drilled pendant as well. It's a bit blurry in a few places. Duh, the camera cannot focus when things are so close up.















What you will need:

Pendant: The ones pictured are 30x40mm and the small one is 20x30mm

Wire: I use about 28" of 22 gauge soft wire. It's a bit easier to wrap the pendants with than 20 gauge and to me, it doesn't look as bulky. Although the smaller tree of life necklace in the right hand corner is 24 gauge. Also, I give my wire a bath of liver of sulfur first, and then clean off with a Pro Polish pad before starting the wire wrap process.

Tools: Wire-cutters, chain nose and round nose pliers.

First, put wire through hole about 2 1/2" out the other side. Then fold both wires over the top of the pendant, crossing each other, and twist together. Bend both wires perpendicular to the pendant and wrap them around the round nose pliers to make the loop. Then wrap both wires around the bottom of the loop a few times. Snip off the smaller wire with wire cutters, and then using chain nose pliers, squeeze wire in the back of pendant to hide. Continue to wrap longer wire around pendant holding tight as you go so it it nice and snug to the pendant. Wrap as far down as you would like and then start wrapping back up the pendant. Continue until you reach the top of the pendant and then cut the wire, hiding the end in the back. I then use the round nose pliers to position where I want the bail and separate loops with the chain nose pliers. To finish, I touch up with a Pro Polish pad. Whew! I think the video will help to show the process better.

Once you get the hang of it, it's a fairly easy and fun to do, plus it will give your pendants a simple, rustic feel.

Try it for yourself and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me!