Tips on Using the WigJig Jewelry Making Tool

Our first tip is to start with straight wire. It is very important that you straighten the wire before you use it on one of our jigs. We recommend using nylon jaw pliers to straighten the wire as shown here.

Our second tip is to start with just two pegs in your jig, no matter how many are required in the pattern. Using this technique, you begin with two pegs and add pegs as you go. For a pattern with six pegs as an example, if you start with 6 pegs in your jig, four of them will be in your way making it difficult to use the jig. By starting with only two pegs and adding a peg as you go, you won't get into the difficult position of trying to push the wire down among pegs that are spaced so closely that you can't get your fingers in between them.

Our third tip is to push the wire and do not pull the wire. Intuitively, everyone wants to grasp the wire by the end and pull the wire around the pegs. Grasping and pulling the wire tends to introduce bends in the wire. By pushing the wire with just one finger touching the wire as shown above-right, you can keep the wire straight as you use it and your jewelry wire components will be more professional looking. Push with your finger as close to the peg you are bending the wire around or against as possible.

Our fourth tip is when pushing the wire, turn the jig with your non-dominant hand and use the index finger of your dominant hand to guide the wire up and over the pegs as necessary. Turning the jig gives you more control over the wire and actually provides leverage to make it easier to control the wire. The index finger on your dominant hand essentially pushes the wire so that the wire remains stationary as you maneuver the jig.

Our fifth and final tip is to continue pushing the wire until the wire rests adjacent to the hole for the next peg in the pattern with no pressure applied to the wire. This means you will need to push the wire and then remove your finger from the wire to allow the wire to relax back to its final position. It may require several instances of push the wire and remove your finger to test and see if you pushed the wire sufficiently. By doing this you ensure that the wire will retain the shape after you remove it from the jig. Failing to do this may result in your wire component springing out of shape when you remove it from the jig. Please visit this web page to view the way that you start with two pegs and push the wire until it rests adjacent to the hole for the next peg.

By learning and following these five tips, you will find that you can make the most consistent, repeatable and professional wire components and jewelry items as possible. Content provided by WigJig - jewelry wire, jewelry tools, jewelry supplies, FREE jewelry making instruction, and a wide selection of beads, including glass beads, metal beads, pearl beads, gemstone beads, and much more!