After cutting wires, you should almost always file them smooth so that they aren't sharp enough to hurt anyone wearing the piece. I use just a flat needle file most of the time, but you can also get a wire rounder (cup burr) that will make it easier.

For finishing the end on the cord in Eni's tutorial, I usually wrap the wire all the way back up to the loop and press the end tight against the base of the loop after filing it.

I use a chain nose pliers and squeeze the end of the wire down. I rarely have to file. I run my fingers over the cut wire to make sure that it is depressed so that it cannot be felt.

I am going to write a free tutorial on finishing leather ends. Years ago I was searching on Google to find out how to finish leather ends and that is how I found Eni! I evolved her technique into my own which is quite different. This tutorial is on my list and should be posted in December.

Like Jodi, I don't file these types of wire ends very often. I leave filing for larger ends that cannot be tucked in. My goal for ends is to have them be both invisible and as unavailable to catch clothing or skin as possible.
'Tucking in' means flattening down the end onto the core wire so that it lies flush and close to the exsisting wrap.
Even though most of the wire you use is round, when finishing, start thinking of it as being square. The top and bottom faces are where it touches skin and clothing. If your wire ends are tucked close to the 'sides' then they have less chance of being pulled out or scratching the wearer.

I do a combination of the above answers :o)

I tuck it in as close as possible giving a squeeze as needed, if it felt sharp at all I knock the edges off with the file. Erring on the side of caution, you could file EVERY time as suggested, it saves time and worry!

Dana

Perri's tip is how I finish my ends also - Although Perri said it more elegantly, I was going to say form a small hook, and "stab it" into the leather. Probably a little gruesome way to put it huh? :)

LOL Bobbi!

That's a pretty visual answer! I can see it perfectly :o)

Dana

I sometimes use the round notch of crimping pliers (the second one nearest the handles, not the first grooved one)and sort of squeeze as I go around if that makes any sense. Don't squeeze too hard though, or you'll squash the wraps. I guess it's kind of a) open the pliers and put them on the wraps b) squeeze where the end is c) rotate and squeeze again d) keep going around until the end is nicely tucked in and everything is tight and even looking. I do something similar with either crimping pliers or chain nose pliers to neaten up wraps and tuck in ends on wrapped loops for earrings etc. This has saved yucky wraps many times.

For everyone who observes this holiday, Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks Eni for your lovely free tutorial! Pictured below is what I made using another tutorial for those pesky coiled wire crimp ends. By the grace of God I found this technique online several months ago - when I really needed THIS style...God answers prayers! I believe it's Jodi's tutorial. I'd like to shoot her a Paypal payment for it BECAUSE:

This design is pure genius! It's elegant, wire-frugal, easy to make & very STRONG! You will not regret learning this technique! It's a staple of mine! Thanks Jodi!

I file my ends with one of those pink foam diamond-dust nail files at Dollar Store or Avon! A little trivia - which online wire artisan suggests this tip in a book or tutorial? I can't remember...sorry about that...it's probably Eni! LOL! Smiles! Juli ;)

Hey thanks everyone!

I'll try each of your suggestions Gailavira, Jodi, Shaktipaj, Dana, Bobbi, Lily Orchid, and Juli!!! You've offered some excellent ideas :)

And Jodi - I can't wait to see your tut. I'll be checking back for it in December.

And Shaktipaj, thanks much for posting the Tip! Very cool. What did you mean though about a fish hook? Doesn't a fish hook sort of turn one way but then have a backwards point at the tip, on the inside? How would I create that? I'm probably misunderstanding what you wrote - I'm kind of a visual person LOL :)

WireBodyArt (sorry, but what is your name?), I forgot that I have this free tutorial on my blog, How To Wire Wrap Leather Ends but I have came up with another way to wrap leather ends and I use both - I use the one on my blog for multistrand leather bracelets or necklaces and the other one that I have yet to write for single strand. I will start working on the tut this weekend (Thanksgiving weekend) and I hope everyone ate WAY TOO MUCH!

Sory for the confusion, Fyne! Perhaps it would be better to say a 'J'shape - or a fish hook with no extra turn on the end. LOL

Perri

PERRI - thanks much! I've printed your tip, along with all the answers here. I'm going to try them all. I think that at various times, each method will be useful..........

JODI - I've downloaded both your blog tutorial and your new tutorial here. What a neat thing for you to do. Thank you so much..........

This is an awesome bunch of people. Thank you all for your help, and I hope to be back to buy more tutorials soon. I've bought three so far, and I'm also grateful for the free tutorials. The free ones help someone like me get started, and get involved. It is very generous of you all, and much appreciated.

Thank you for all you do.

Fyne,
How nice of you to post the kind comments for everyone! As Eni has said in the past, we all have a starting point - I wish this site had been available when I first starting wire wrapping in 2005. I remember searching endlessly for tutorials and/or books on the subject - not so long ago but there wasn't much out there on the subject so this site is truly a wonderful idea of Eni's. We do have a GREAT community started, don't we!!

I file every end and then run the cup burr over it for a few revolutions to take the edges off. I also use the tip mentioned earlier - about crimping pliers to round out the end. This combo insures that there are no pokey ends!

I just wanted to add a small detail that I was taught about cutting the wire as well so it lays up against where you tuck the wire in. Say making a wrapped element that has alot of circular or winding movement and the cut wire is to go against the bent wire, I always make sure I cut the wire on a slight angle and make sure teh cutters are angled with the way the wire that it sits on is angled. So that the cut of the wire is flush with the right angle to where the wire will be tucked and the outer part of the wire is rounded and it seems to lay more smoothly. I do file if needed but not always.
I also find that thinner wires are harder to get to lay against the frame wire so before I do cut the wire I make sure it is hardened a little so it grabs the frame wire with more strength.
Hope this helps and makes sense . Happy creating, Pam