Caleb Foster
A wire-wrapped nail cross is a popular adornment for Christians, symbolising the nails hammered into the cross during the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This piece of jewellery can be made using two or three nails of different lengths, arranged to form a cross, and carefully wrapped with wire. The wire-wrapped nail cross can be worn as a pendant on a chain or a leather cord, or even hung as a Christmas tree ornament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nails | 2-inch long horseshoe nails, 2-inch long nails, 3/4" nails, 1-1/4" long nails |
| Wire | Sterling silver, copper, zinc metal alloy |
| Tools | Wire cutters |
| Procedure | Place two nails horizontally, overlapping, then place two more nails vertically on top, also overlapping. Wrap wire around the bottom portion of the cross, then the top, then the sides, then diagonally across the middle. |
| Result | Pendant, ornament, necklace |
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What You'll Learn
Use two nails of one length and two of another length
To make a wire-wrapped nail cross using two nails of one length and two of another length, you will need four nails total, with two longer nails and two shorter nails. You will also need wire and wire cutters.
Begin by placing the two longer nails vertically on a table, with the heads facing away from each other and overlapping by about half an inch. This will form the vertical portion of the cross. Then, take the two shorter nails and place them horizontally across the vertical nails, again with the heads facing away from each other and overlapping by about half an inch. Ensure that the nails are securely in place and form a stable cross shape.
Now you can start wrapping the wire. Cut a length of wire and start by wrapping it around the bottom portion of the cross, working your way up to the centre where the nails meet. Make sure the wire is wrapped tightly and appears solid with no spaces in between. Repeat this process for the top portion of the cross, wrapping the wire from the top down to the centre.
Finally, cut two more pieces of wire and wrap them around the right and left sides of the cross, starting at the end of each side and working towards the centre. To finish, cut a piece of wire and wrap it diagonally across the middle of the cross to secure all the nails together. You can add more wire as needed to stabilise the cross or to create a desired aesthetic.
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Overlap the nails to form a cross
To make a wire-wrapped nail cross, you'll need two nails of one length and one nail of a different length. For the longer nails, you can use two 2-inch or 3/4-inch horseshoe nails. For the shorter nail, use a 1-1/4-inch nail. Place the two longer nails on a table, with their heads facing away from each other and overlapping by about half an inch. This forms the vertical portion of the cross.
Next, place the shorter nail horizontally across the vertical nails, about 1/3 of the way down, so that the nails overlap by about half an inch. This creates the horizontal arm of the cross. You can also use two shorter nails instead of one, placing them on either side of the vertical nails. Ensure the heads of all the nails are facing away from each other.
At this point, you should have a structure that resembles a cross, with the nails overlapping in the centre. Now, you can begin wrapping the wire. Start by wrapping one piece of wire around the bottom portion of the cross, working your way up to the centre where the nails meet. Make sure the wire appears solid with no spaces in between. Repeat this process for the top portion of the cross, wrapping the wire from the top down to the centre.
Finally, cut a length of wire and wrap it diagonally across the middle of the cross, crisscrossing over the point where the nails meet. You can also wrap wire around the right and left sides of the cross, starting from the end of each arm and working towards the centre.
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Wrap wire around the centre of the cross
Now that you have your nails arranged in a cross formation, it's time to start wrapping! Cut a length of wire with wire cutters; you'll need enough to wrap around the centre of the cross, plus a little extra. Starting at the bottom of the cross, begin wrapping the wire upwards towards the centre, where the nails meet. Make sure you wind the wire tightly, with no gaps, so that it looks solid. Continue wrapping until you reach the centre, then cut the wire.
Repeat this process for the top portion of the cross, starting at the top and wrapping downwards towards the centre. Again, ensure that you wind the wire neatly and tightly, with no gaps. Cut the wire when you reach the centre.
For the sides of the cross, you can follow the same process, starting at one end of the horizontal nail and wrapping towards the centre. Cut the wire once you've reached the centre.
Finally, cut a shorter piece of wire, around 3 inches long. Wrap this piece diagonally across the centre of the cross, crisscrossing over the point where all the nails meet. This will secure all the previous pieces of wire in place and complete the wrapped wire design.
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Wind wire around the rest of the cross
Now that you have the basic structure of your cross, it's time to start winding the wire around the rest of it. Cut your wire into four equal pieces. Starting at the bottom of the cross, wrap one piece of wire around the bottom portion, working your way up to the centre where the nails meet. Ensure that the wire appears solid with no gaps in between. Repeat this process for the top portion of the cross, this time starting at the top and working your way down to the centre.
Next, take another piece of wire and start at the far right of the cross. Carefully wind the wire around, moving towards the centre where the nails meet. Be sure to keep the wire tight and neat as you go. Do the same for the left side of the cross, starting at the very end and working your way towards the centre.
At this point, you should have something that looks like a wire-wrapped cross. To finish it off, cut a length of wire measuring about 3 inches. Wrap this piece diagonally across the centre of the cross, crisscrossing the wire to complete the design.
Feel free to add your own creative touches to the wrapping process. You can experiment with different wrapping patterns or add extra wire for a more intricate look. Just make sure that the wire is securely wrapped around the nails to hold them together.
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Cut the wire
To cut the wire, you will need a pair of wire cutters. Once you have your wire cutters, follow these steps:
- Cut a piece of wire that is about 3 inches long. You can use a precious metal wire like sterling silver to add elegance and a classy look to your nail cross.
- Wrap the wire diagonally in a crisscross pattern around the middle of the cross to secure all the nails in place.
- Make sure the wire appears solid with no spaces in between. This will ensure the structure of your cross is stable and secure.
- Cut any excess wire using your wire cutters, being careful not to snip too close to the nails or the wrapped wire.
By following these steps and cutting the wire properly, you will create a neat and secure wire-wrapped nail cross.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any type of wire, but some popular options include sterling silver, copper, or zinc alloy wire.
You can use any type of nail, but it's recommended to use two nails of different lengths. For example, you can use two 3/4-inch nails and one 1 1/4-inch nail, or four 2-inch horseshoe nails.
First, place the nails on a table to form a cross. Make sure the nails are overlapping by about 1/2 inch. Then, start wrapping the wire around the nails, beginning at the bottom and working your way up to the center.
Wrap the wire tightly so that it appears solid with no spaces in between. You can wrap it around the top and bottom portions of the cross, as well as the left and right sides. Finally, wrap a piece of wire diagonally across the middle of the cross to complete it.
Yes, you can place the wire-wrapped nail cross into a mold and cast it with high-quality lead-free pewter metal to give it a more polished look. You can also tumble it with an antique silver finish to achieve a rustic appearance.
