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Wirework Jewelry Workshop
Be bold with this opulent collection by Sue Mason-Burns. Dramatic chandeliers formed from a wire framework make a perfect base from which to dangle some bling!

Posted by GMC Group Published See GMC Group's 304 projects » © 2024 Sian Hamilton / GMC Publications · Reproduced with permission. · Wirework Jewelry Workshop by Sian Hamilton, published by GMC (£14.99, available from www.thegmcgroup.com)
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  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 1
    Step 1

    Earrings

    Cut 6in (150mm) of 18-gauge wire and form a wrapped loop in one end (see below). Thread on an oval crystal and finish with a wrapped loop. Trim the tail wires with a flush cutter, making sure they are both on the same side of the loops, which will be at the back of your design.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 2
    Step 2

    Flush-cut three lengths of 18-gauge wire, approx. 18in (450mm) long, and a 393⁄8in (1m) length of 28-gauge wire. Holding the three wires together parallel and leaving a short tail with the 28-gauge wire, begin weaving 11¾in (300mm) from one end. Coil three times around the bottom wire, three times around the bottom and middle wires together, three times around all three wires, and three times around the two lower wires again. Repeat five times.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 3
    Step 3

    Gently curve the woven section to match the curve of the crystal. Wrap the longer tails of wire 360 degrees around the upper wrapped loop, and the remaining three tails 180 degrees around the lower loop. Trim the 28-gauge wire tails.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 4
    Step 4

    Take the bottom and middle of the three upper tail wires that were just wrapped around the upper loop in an arc along the face of the crystal. Wrap them once around the lower loop.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 5
    Step 5

    Flush cut the remaining tail wire to approx. 11¾in (30mm) and, using round-nose pliers, form into a decorative open spiral. This should sit over the two wires running along the crystal and in the space between the woven section and these two wires.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 6
    Step 6

    Wrap the three lower tail wires around the lower loops once more and trim with side cutters. Use flat-nose pliers to gently press these trimmed wires into the back of your work so that they remain secure.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 7
    Step 7

    Flush cut the remaining two lower tail wires to 3⁄4in (20mm). Using the smaller jaw of medium bail-making pliers, form a loop in an inward direction with each of these tail wires. These will form the two upper chandelier loops from which to hang your decorative crystals.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 8
    Step 8

    Cut three 3¼in (80mm) lengths of 18-gauge wire. Form a small coil in one end of each length, to act as a decorative headpin. Thread an 8mm crystal onto each headpin and turn a simple loop. Open the loops in the tops of each of the headpins and attach the crystals to the lower loops of the earring design. Make a second earring as a mirror image.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 9
    Step 9

    Cut two 4in (100mm) lengths of 18-gauge wire and turn a loop at one end of each. Using the larger jaw of large bail-making pliers, bend the hook part of the earwires. Trim and turn the ends up with flat-nose pliers. Hammer the bends of the earwires flat. Open the loops and attach to the upper loop of the earrings.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 10
    Step 10

    Ensure both earwires are identical by making them at the same time.

    Before you cover any part of a bead with wire wrapping, be sure to wipe any finger marks off the bead.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 11
    Step 11

    Pendant

    Follow the same pattern as for the earrings, but instead of the simple crisscross at the lower loop, add some decorative loops and a simple figure-of-eight woven section to the front of your pendant.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 12
    Step 12

    Making a wrapped loop
    This style of loop is the most secure. Once attached, it cannot be removed unless it is cut off.

    Thread a bead onto a head- or eyepin. Grip the wire with round-nose pliers next to the bead.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 13
    Step 13

    Bend the wire above the plier jaw to a right angle. You will need about 1⁄8in (2mm) of wire above the bead before the bend.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 14
    Step 14

    Move the plier jaws to sit at the top of the bend.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 15
    Step 15

    With your thumb, push the wire back around the pliers, keeping it tight to the jaw.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 16
    Step 16

    Keep pushing the wire around the jaw until you meet the bead.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 17
    Step 17

    Move the pliers around the loop to hold it close to the open side. Continue to bend the wire around until it is facing out at a right angle and you have a complete loop.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 18
    Step 18

    Use a pair of chain-nose pliers to hold across the loop firmly. Make sure any chain or ring is above the pliers. If adding the loop to chain or a jumpring, thread the loop onto the chain at this stage

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 19
    Step 19

    Wrap the wire around the neck of the loop until it meets the bead.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 20
    Step 20

    Take side cutters and snip off any excess wire. Make sure the flat side of the cutter jaws is facing the coil.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Emerald Chandelier - Step 21
    Step 21

    Take the chain-nose pliers and push the cut end of the wire into the coil, so it sits flush.

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Comments

Bellafyre
Bellafyre
Fantastic!! Great tutorial, thank you for sharing Happy and thank you so much for actually having the instructions loaded, lol Happy very pretty!!
Reply

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