- 1). Measure 8 inches of wire with a ruler. Cut the wire. Run the length of wire through the nylon jaw pliers several times, using gentle but firm pressure. This will straighten the wire.
- 2). Measure 3 inches from the end of the straightened wire. Position the round nose pliers at this point, sliding the wire so it rests halfway up the cone that makes up the jaw of the pliers. Close the pliers and use your fingers to pull the wire toward you so it forms a half loop. Rotate the pliers in the loop so you can continue bending the wire to form a full loop. The wire should form a full circle and cross over itself at a right angle.
- 3). Complete a wrapped loop. Hold the full loop created in Step 3 between the jaws of the chain nose pliers, using steady but gentle pressure. Take the tail of wire sticking out at a right angle and wrap it three times around the longer stem of wire, positioning the wraps as close as possible to the loop and to each other. Cut the remaining tail off and use the chain nose pliers to press it flat against the stem of wire.
- 4). String the lampwork bead onto the stem of wire, positioning it up against the wraps completed in Step 3. Use the round nose pliers to create a second full loop on the opposite side of the bead, leaving 1/8 inch of wire stem between the bead and the loop. You will have a very long tail of wire left.
- 5). Angle the tail of wire down toward the bead. Wrap it around the bead several times in large loops, working your way down. This forms the cage around the bead. Position the cage loops so that the overall appearance of the bead is pleasing. When you reach the end with the wrapped loops, tightly wrap the wire twice around them.
- 6). Pull the tail of wire upward and wrap it around the bead again, going in the opposite direction. When you reach the 1/8 inch of stem between the full loop and the bead, hold the loop between the jaws of chain nose pliers and wrap the tail tightly around the stem to create a final set of wraps matching the ones on the opposite end of the bead. Cut any remaining wire and use the chain nose pliers to press the end flat against the tight wraps.
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