Have I mentioned how much I love Craftsy classes?
I have?
Oh, well, I have to mention it again, they are awesome.
Anyhow, after making these earrings last week I couldn’t stop making those wire wrapped round components. So, I made this necklace.
It was also an opportunity to use these polymer clay beads that I got on Etsy a while back.
if you want to try to make those round components yourself (plus many, many other great lessons) check out Craftsy’s Wire-Wrapped Stones, Crystals and Clusters.
I’ve made a video for you explaining how to put together the necklace. Happy Creating!
Wire Wrapped Decorative Ring Triple Strand Necklace
Materials:
- assorted beads of your choice
- bead stringing wire, 2 yards
- 6 crimp beads
- 6 crimp covers
- 6 wire protectors
- 2 – 1 inch to 1.5 inch decorative rings for hanging bead strands (see this class for how to make the ones I used)
- 2 – 8 inch pieces necklace chain
- 26 gauge wire
- 4 jump rings
- clasp
Tools:
- 2 pair chain nose pliers
- round nose pliers
- wire cutters
- crimping tool, if desired
- bead design board
- flexible tape measure
Directions:
- Arrange beads in your desired design on a bead design board. Working from spool, string center strand of beads onto bead stringing wire.
- Slide end of wire through a crimp cover, (if necessary) a crimp bead and through both holes of a wire protector. Slide wire protector over a decorative ring. Slide end of wire back through crimp bead and use chain nose or crimping pliers to flatten crimp bead. Close crimp cover over flattened crimp.
- Trim wire off spool, leaving 4 inches extra after last strung bead and repeat step two to attach to other decorative ring. Make sure to leave 1/8 inch slack in wire so beads hang gracefully.
- Use flexible tape measure to determine desired length of upper strand. Working from spool, string upper strand of beads onto bead stringing wire. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to attach each end to a decorative ring, making sure to keep strands in correct order.
- Use flexible tape measure to determine desired length of lower strand. Working from spool, string lower strand of beads onto bead stringing wire. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to attach each end to a decorative ring, making sure to keep strands in correct order.
- To make a wire wrapped component:
- Working from spool of 26 gauge wire use chain nose pliers to grasp wire 1 inch from end. Bend wire at 90° angle.
- Grasp bend with round nose pliers and wrap wire around pliers as far as possible to start to make a loop. Reposition pliers to finish loop.
- Wrap remaining wire around wire below 90° bend. Use wire cutters to trim, if necessary. Use chain nose pliers to tuck in end.
- Cut wire off spool, leaving 1 ½ to 2 inches.
- Thread on a seed bead, an accent bead and another seed bead. Use chain nose pliers to grasp wire just at point where it exits bead and bend wire at 90° angle. Repeat step 6.b to make loop. Slide loop onto decorative ring. Repeat step 6.c to finish wire wrapping component.
- Repeat to make second wire wrapped component.
- Use jump rings to attach open loop of each wire wrapped components to end of an 8 inch length of chain.
- To remaining ends of chain, attach a jump ring to one and a clasp to the other.
Such beautiful blues! They go well with the books. 😀
Yep, gotta make sure to match the books. lol