Memory wire & capping beads

[Autumn Faerie]

Hi all, technical question, I've just bought some memory wire to make bracelets and bought some small silver capping beads which I assumed was what I needed to put on the ends of the wire, but I don't know how to keep them on, I've tried squishing them on with pliers but don't want to push them out of shape & at the moment they keep falling off.

Have I bought the wrong thing & if so how should I end my bracelets - thanks

from a novice memory wire bracelet maker

[auntynet]

The end caps need to be glued into place. The alternative is to make a small loop at each end of the wire and just add a small charm or bead to "pretty it up". Be warned though - memory wire is very tough to loop.

[Autumn Faerie]

Ah thank you, that makes sense.

I probably won't try the loop just yet, I have enough trouble getting decent loops out of head pins! I'm assuming it's just practice.

[cupcake]

I just make a loop, it's not that tricky, you just need some round nosed pliers and a bit of brute force. Although it's stronger I find the loops easier to make on memory wire than on fine jewellery wire. Play around with it and see what you think. You can always snip the loop off and try again if it goes wrong. Whenever I've tried gluing endcaps on they always fall off.

Just make sure you have memory wire cutters to cut the wire, don't use regular ones or you will blunt them.

Elinor
x

[Autumn Faerie]

thanks, I don't have memory wire cutters, but if I have a go (and make a mess of it) I'm sure I could use a pair of hubby's pliers.

[silvermaid]

I always find it's easier to make the loop in one movement, a couple of mm past the wire as it springs back a bit. A charm on the end looks great, but the loops don't look out of place as they are.
I haven't used the end caps but have heard that people have problems keeping them stuck on.

Melanie

[two hoots]

If you are going to turn loops at the ends of your memery wire don,t use delicate round nosed pliers get some tougher ones or cheaper ones that you don't mind bending !

[Beadservice]

People have different preferences how to finish off memory wire ends. Some glue end caps on and others bend the ends with their pliers into a loop

Debbie

[BeadsbyLili]

Sometimes I begin the loop with the round nose pliers then finish off the loop by squeezing with chain nose pliers. HTH

[shiner]

I'm a loop person myself, I've never had enough faith in glue to rely on end caps I use my vice and form a really tight curl on the ends sometimes adding a small bead

[Bea]

Loops get the vote here too. I prefer it as I think adding a dangly charms finishes off nicely.

However to glue the end caps, try and use some sandpaper to ''roughen'' the edge of the wire, so that glue adheres better. Epoxy glue or hypo cement glue is best too. HTH

[coolkat]

I agree - I went to a fair on Saturday and most people did a loop and left it but i have started to make mine and put a little dangle on the end which makes it look finished! I try and find a lillte flower bead to match which ties in with the theme.

[auntynet]

If you use E6000 glue and leave it 24 hrs to set you can guarantee it will not come off.

[cupcake]

I shall have to try that as both Hypo-cement and Beadfix have failed for me.

However, I'm still trembling from reading the warning on the back of the tube of E6000 and haven't dared use it yet!

E
x

[Aviya Glass]

thanks, I don't have memory wire cutters, but if I have a go (and make a mess of it) I'm sure I could use a pair of hubby's pliers.

Please don't

I thought 'how hard can it be, no one needs special memory wire cutters do they?' and I used my normal cutter in my infinite ignorance and now I wish I hadn't.
Either get yourself a cheapie pair you dont mind destroying or be prepared to buy new ones you wish you hadn't destroyed - like silly, what was I thinking me

I do the loops, they arent THAT difficult......... after a bit of practice