Wire Wrapped Cross Tutorial

Wire Wrapped Cross Tutorial

Rustic wire cross is 1 7/8″ long

Tools and Supplies

A 6″ piece of 16ga or 18ga round, soft wire for frame

12 or so inches of half round, half hard, 16ga wire

Round nose pliers

Square or Chain nose pliers

Wire cutters

Chasing hammer

Small file

Steel block or anvil

Ruler

Sharpie marker

Steps

Straighten and cut a 6″ piece of the frame wire

Fold wire in half using round nose pliers

Make a round or oval loop at the halfway point

Make a 90% bend 5/8″ from the top on each side

Using your marker, draw a line at 5/8″ on each wire. Bend the wires with the tips your round nose pliers

Bend the wires again at the mid point as shown with your chain nose pliers

Use the round nose pliers to form a little loop at each “arm” of the cross

Bend your wire with the chain or square nose pliers again as shown

With your chasing hammer, flatten the loop at the top and the loops are each end of the arms. Lightly hammer the rest of the cross

Straighten the whole pendant and hammer the ends into a paddle

Using a 2″ to 4″ piece of half round wire, begin to wrap the ends as shown.

Place the center of the half round wire behind the cross, flat side facing you

Crisscross the wrap wires in front as shown and around to the back

Bring the wires to the back and crisscross again

Bring both wrapping wires towards the top and wind each one around the arm at the point nearest the center of the cross. End up with the wrap wires in the back and trim the wrap wires on the back of the cross. There will be a crisscross pattern in the front and back.

Back of the cross pendant

Be sure to cut all the wires in the back of the cross and file the ends smooth. Make or buy a jump ring of heavy gauge wire and insert at the top of the cross.

If you have a problem keeping the wires straight while working, loosely wrap a fine wire around the separate sections to hold them in place temporarily. You can also use masking tape or painters tape.

File all wire ends smooth, oxidize with Liver of Sulfur or leave your metal bare as you wish.

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