Creative Uses for Memory Wire

Memory wire is one of those jewelry making techniques that is just plain fun! You don't need to think about tension or perfect how to crimp a crimp bead. You don't need to figure out a clasp to match your design or think about sizing. With memory wire projects, the main focus is on stringing the beads onto the wire and coming up with delightful bead patterns. Even if it's a random bead pattern, it's still so much fun to see it take form. To finish your memory wire, you can just make a simple loop with round nose pliers or glue on an end cap. The focus of memory wire projects really are the beads.

I think when most people hear “memory wire,” they think of bracelets. I must admit that this is the case for me as well. However, memory wire comes in a variety of sizes such as ring, bracelet, and necklace sizes. Further, you can be creative with the memory wire and create earrings, ornaments, napkin rings, wine charms, and more. If you open our mind to think “what can I do with this cool hard wire” then the ideas start to flow!

Wine charms are particularly fun to make because you get to combine memory wire with hundreds of different charms. You can pick a theme like flowers, nautical, or sports. Then if you want, you can gift the wine charms you make for a perfect hostess or birthday gift. For wine charms, use ring size memory wire. 

Ornaments are fun because they are always treasured and appreciated whether you keep them for yourself or give them as gifts. You can make long dangly spirals with the ring size memory wire or you can make nice round hoops with the bracelet size. In both cases, you can choose traditional Christmas colored beads of red, green, white, and gold or simply choose your favorite colors. Pairing the beaded memory wire with a Christmas charm is fun too!

To make a pair of memory wire earrings, you need to simply cut the bracelet memory wire before it makes a full loop. This then creates a dramatic hoop earring. The example above shows cup chain wire wrapped onto the memory wire but you can also bead the memory wire as normal to make beaded hoop earrings. 

For even more ideas, projects, and video tutorials, check out our Memory Wire 101 page!