Make a Measuring Template for Wire Jewelry Projects

8/17/2019 Make a Measuring Template for Wire Jewelry Projects

1/11

Make a Measuring Template for Wire Jewelry

Projects

by Rena Klingenberg.

Popsicle Sticks Marked for Making Border-Wrap Wire Pendants

You can use this idea for all kinds of wire (and other) jewelry designs!

Once you’ve figured out the measurements for a project, create a template so you won’t have to do the same measuring all over again the

next time you make something similar.

Among my most-used wireworking tools are my measuring templates I’ve made out of wooden popsicle sticks.

Each popsicle stick is marked with the measurements for a border-wrapped pendant made with a specific size of cabochon.

On one side of the popsicle stick:

I’ve used a fine-tip Sharpie marker to write the size of the cabochon, the length of the main wires needed for this size, and the type of wir

needed.

(So the top stick shown in the photo above is for an 18 x 25 mm cabochon, which needs a bundle of square wires that are 6-7/8″ long.)

On the other side of the popsicle stick:

I’ve marked four lines, on the exact spots where the four binding wires need to be wrapped around the main wire bundle for this design.


2/11

You can see where the four binding wires end up on the finished pendant, in this photo – a pair of binding wires just below the cabochon

and a pair of them just above it:

How I use these measuring templates:

I simply place my wire bundle on top of the popsicle stick, with the midpoint of the bundle lined up with the midpoint of the popsicle stic

I draw the four lines across my wires with a fine-point Sharpie.

Then I pick up the wire bundle and wrap its four binding wires around it – with each binding starting on the appropriate Sharpie line.

I wrap the bindings in the direction of the arrows shown on the popsicle stick:


3/11

Why I use them:

I came up with this system after spending untold amounts of time re-doing these same measurements with a ruler every single time I mad

one of these pendants!

It finally occurred to me that I could skip all the tedious measuring if I could just lay my wires across a template and mark where the

bindings go.

I knew that would subtract several minutes from the process of making each pendant, and make my designs more precise at the same tim

This is one of the “math work-arounds” I mentioned in my article, How to Keep “Math Issues” from Stopping Your Jewelry Busine

(One of my personal math issues is that I have a lot of trouble with measuring things.)

Warning:

These high-tech measuring templates require someone to make the huge sacrifice of eating a popsicle … or two … or ten! :o)

Comments:

Popsicle Templates

by: Patricia

This is brilliant! I haven’t done any of this kind of wrapping but when I do I’ll have a short-cut to start with.

http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=9656http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=9656


4/11

Thanks!

Awesome

by: Dee

what an awesome idea! I’m working more with wire and each time I’ve been measuring and such…definitely going to give this a try…

what a time saver.

Great Idea!

by: Pam

What a timesaver! I am still learning to do cabochon harnessing, an was drawing this on paper, which of course would get lost and need t

be redone.

These templates, made for various sizes of cabs, could be kept in a small cup or juice glass on one’s worktable to have them always easy

find!

What a great idea!

by: Anonymous

I haven’t attempted to do this type of wire wrapping yet, but now that I am teaching jewelry making classes, I will dust off my book and

try this with your handy new “tool” to help speed up the process.

Great Idea!

by: Kristi Watson

Thanks for sharing such a great idea! I think you’ve save us all time!

FANTASTIC SHORTCUT!

by: Anonymous

Your template idea is just what I needed. I have a partially finished project that requires several measurements for each piece. Now I kno

how to do it an easier way. Thanks for sharing this great idea.

Great Ideaby: Michelle Buettner

This idea is wonderful and saves time! Thanks so much for sharing.

Haas to be best idea.

by: Nan

I drive myself crazy doing the math over and over again (especially prong rings; but this stick will work for those too).

Thank you Thank You. Wish I would have checked this out earlier this morning when making my 19/32 prongs LOL

Jewelry measuring templates

by: Rena

I’m so pleased to hear how helpful this idea is for all of you! It’s really made a tremendous difference for me.

I use this same concept for all kinds of jewelry measuring.

Woodworkers say, “Measure twice, cut once.”


5/11

But I say, “Measure once, and mark it on a popsicle stick!”

You might also like:

Easy Folded Wire Ring Tutorial

Adjustable Monogram Ring Tutorial

How to Make an Open Wire Spiral (ideo!

"inkwit

Be the first to know the newest secrets

of making and selling jewelry...

Comments

1. Mary Anne says:

So happy to learn I am not alone in my math issues. They seem to be getting worse as I age. this article really starts my day /

week off with great hope, and happy inspirations. Thanks Rena!

2. Marianne says:

Dear Rena,

your advices and ideas are always incredibly useful THANK YOU YOUR WORK & HELP – AGAIN:)))

3. kathy says:

http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/easy-folded-wire-ring-tutorial/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/adjustable-monogram-ring-tutorial/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/how-to-make-an-open-wire-spiral/http://www.linkwithin.com/learn?ref=widgethttp://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanwoodswalker/sets/http://lampagyongyekszerek.blogspot.com/http://lampagyongyekszerek.blogspot.com/https://www.facebook.com/groups/beadlovers/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/easy-folded-wire-ring-tutorial/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/adjustable-monogram-ring-tutorial/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/how-to-make-an-open-wire-spiral/http://www.linkwithin.com/learn?ref=widgethttp://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanwoodswalker/sets/http://lampagyongyekszerek.blogspot.com/https://www.facebook.com/groups/beadlovers/


6/11

Thank you so much for sharing your awesome idea!!! I too think its brilliant and had to share it with others on a incredible

beading group on facebook.

Again Thanks!!!!

4. Mel says:

That’s a fantastic tip, thanks for sharing. Yes high tech gadgets, killers

5. Bonny @ thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com says:

Very clever! I love this!

6. Anne @ Unique Gifter says:

Cute! That’s such a simple and very, very useful idea.

7. Crystelle says:

What a great idea!

Your jewelry is so beautiful!

8. The style sisters says:

I love this tip..I don’t make jewelry but I do sew and craft and it would be so handy to have a little stick with certain

measurements all ready to go that I use all of the time! Brilliant idea!

Karin

9. Amberly Hejny says:

Oh how I love creative tools that are free! this is truly wonderful.

http://mellywoods5.blogspot.com.au/http://mellywoods5.blogspot.com.au/http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/http://www.uniquegifter.com/http://www.uniquegifter.com/http://www.crystelleboutique.com/http://www.thestylesisters.blogspot.com/http://www.bingobuttercupcrafts.com/http://www.bingobuttercupcrafts.com/http://mellywoods5.blogspot.com.au/http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/http://www.uniquegifter.com/http://www.crystelleboutique.com/http://www.thestylesisters.blogspot.com/http://www.bingobuttercupcrafts.com/


7/11

10. Diann @ The Thrifty Groove says:

This is a great tip! Thanks for sharing it with us at TTF this week! Have a fun weekend!

11. BeColorful says:

Thanks for sharing this on BeColorful. I can see where this would be a most useful idea for all of the jewelry makers out there.

pr

12. Cathy says:

I’ll make the sacrifice and eat a Popsicle for you! This is a great tip!

13. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says:

Absolutely genius!

14. creativejewishmom/sara says:

Fabulous idea, thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!

15. Eileen Macloud says:

What a great way to keep valuable info at your finger tips! I plan on starting my template collection immediately. Thanks for

sharing all of your great info that I am sure helps all of us wire wrappers in way or another.

16. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says:

This is such a great idea, Rena!

17. MariaElena says:

Brilliant! What a great tip! Thank you so much for sharing. Hugs, Maria

http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/http://becolorful.typepad.com/http://becolorful.typepad.com/http://www.my1929charmer.com/http://www.creativejewishmom.com/http://ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/http://ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/http://ourhomeawayfromhome/http://ourhomeawayfromhome/http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/http://becolorful.typepad.com/http://www.my1929charmer.com/http://www.creativejewishmom.com/http://ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/http://ourhomeawayfromhome/


8/11

18. Monica says:

What a great and simple tool! Wish I’d thought of it myself.

19. Melanie James says:

Awesome idea. I love super simple “hacks” to make life easier.

20. Patti says:

While I don’t make jewelry, I know folks who do…pinned!

21. Julie V. says:

I love having templates readily available because I am not great at eyeballing measurements. In fact, I use rulers all the time and

panic can’t find one.

This is good because then I don’t have to remember the specific numbers like when I measure with a ruler. Thanks for the advic

22. Merlinda Little says:

I love this idea! Not only for jewelry making but for sewing as well. I have such small working space so when I am only doing

hems this will help a lot =) I will be using those wooden stirrer so that I can just get it for free from Mc Donalds. Thanks so muc

23. Kristina and Millie says:

Wow this is so cool. I don’t do jewelry but this would be great for all sorts of things, including crochet. I love it! – Kristina

24. danielle says:

So simple and so smart – Thanks so much for sharing this!

Share Your Thoughts

http://www.livelovelaughforless.com/http://www.livelovelaughforless.com/http://www.ohmrstucker.com/http://www.ohmrstucker.com/http://somebodysdinner.blogspot.com/http://somebodysdinner.blogspot.com/http://pixiedusk.livejournal.com/http://2crochethooks.com/http://mostlyfoodandcrafts.com/http://mostlyfoodandcrafts.com/http://www.livelovelaughforless.com/http://www.ohmrstucker.com/http://somebodysdinner.blogspot.com/http://pixiedusk.livejournal.com/http://2crochethooks.com/http://mostlyfoodandcrafts.com/


9/11

Name *

Email *

Website

Subscribe without commenting

E-Mail:

Search This Website:

Learn How to Design Wire Jewelry

Rena's wire jewelry video class:

26 Videos + 27 Printable Handouts

"I highly recommend this class for any wireworker who wants to make the jump from following tutorials to designing their own jewelry.

~ Teresa.

Learn More

Jewelry & Coffee with Rena (video series)

http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/landing/wire-jewelry-class/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/landing/wire-jewelry-class/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/landing/wire-jewelry-class/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/landing/wire-jewelry-class/


10/11

Jewelry Business Names (Video)

Jewelry and Coffee with Rena Video Episode 27 by Rena Klingenberg. Something to think about … [Read More...]

More Jewelry and Coffee with Rena

Make 2016 Your Best Jewelry Year Ever!

Get every strategy and secret I've learned from years of selling my handmade jewelry at shows.

Free Guide:

Get Rena's Jewelry Business Black Book

http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/jewelry-business-names/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/jewelry-business-names/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/category/videos/jewelry-and-coffee/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/landing/jewelry-booth/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/jewelry-business-names/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/jewelry-business-names/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/category/videos/jewelry-and-coffee/http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/landing/jewelry-booth/


11/11

Name:

Email:

Make a Measuring Template for Wire Jewelry Projects

Documents

Transcript of Make a Measuring Template for Wire Jewelry Projects