Memory Wire 101: Using Memory Wire in Jewelry Making

Memory wire is a type of steel wire used in jewelry making that keeps its cold-forged shape. This characteristic helps keep wire designs in place after completion, making memory wire an excellent choice for quick and easy projects. Memory wire is typically sold in coils with pre-formed loops sized for bracelets, necklaces or rings, and is available in many plated metal finishes including gold, silver, copper, and gun metal. Click here to see our entire selection of memory wire.

How to Use Memory Wire & Choosing the Right Size

Memory wire can be used to make jewelry including bangle bracelets, necklaces, rings. Our designers have also made earrings and crafts such as wine charms and ornaments. To use, simply cut your memory wire coil to your desired number of loops. Note: Memory wire is very strong. To prevent damage to your regular wire cutters, we highly recommend only using specialized memory wire cutters to cut memory wire.

When creating a bracelet from memory wire, you can easily achieve a stacked or wrapped look by using multiple loops. Bracelet memory wire is available in small, medium, or large, with sizes listed in diameter (the width across the center).

There are 2 factors in choosing bracelet size—wrist size and bead size. Memory wire acts like a spring to be flexible and fit a broad range of sizes. Many people are comfortable with the medium size. Those with smaller wrists and hands can now choose the small size for a tighter fit, and those who find that memory wire designs are usually too tight can use the large size. However, if you plan to use large beads in your design, we recommend going with a larger size. For smaller beads, such as seed beads, choosing the smallest size of memory wire that fits could be the way to go. See our video, How to Choose the Right Size of Round Memory Wire for Your Design, for further details.

You can adorn your memory wire by sliding on beads, wire wrapping components to the memory wire base, or using specialized findings such as slide-on cups or glue-on pads. See our videos and project tutorials for instructions, patterns, and design ideas.

Memory Wire Jewelry Instructional Videos

Find inspiration with our step-by-step instructional videos and learn how to work with memory wire and create jewelry.

Featured Video: How to Create a Memory Wire Bracelet Using Czech Fire Polished Glass Beads

More Video Tutorials

Beadaholique Live Class: Memory Wire Jewelry	How to Use Memory Wire Glue In Ends	How to Choose the Right Size of Round Memory Wire for Your Design	How to Make a Memory Wire Bangle with Braided Cork Cord
How to Use the Beadalon Memory Wire Finishing Pliers	How to Wire Wrap Cup Chain onto Flat Memory Wire to Make a Pair of Earrings	How to Make a Set of Four Memory Wire Christmas Ornaments	How to Create a Memory Wire Cuff

VIEW ALL MEMORY WIRE JEWELRY MAKING VIDEOS

Memory Wire Jewelry Project Tutorials

Turquoise Memory Wire Ring	California Gold Rush Memory Wire Ring	Monarch Butterfly Memory Wire Bracelet	Boho Gemstone Cork Memory Wire Bangle
Boho Charming Cork Memory Wire Bangle	Mermaid Island Memory Wire Bracelet	Glimmering Skull Memory Wire Bracelet	Ocean Blue Memory Wire Bracelet
Verdant Luxury Bracelet	Plumeria Memory Wire Bracelet	Athens Memory Wire Bracelet	Kavala Cuff in Night

VIEW ALL MEMORY WIRE JEWELRY MAKING PROJECT TUTORIALS

Memory Wire Supplies

Shop our entire selection of memory wire including specialized findings and cutters. Embellish your memory wire with beads and charms. We especially love using Czech glass beads when making memory wire jewelry, including using Czech glass Finial beads to give the ends a clean finish.

• Memory Wire
• Memory Wire Cutters & Finishing Pliers 
• Memory Wire End Caps & Cups
• Czech Glass Beads
• Charms
• Jump Rings & Split Rings