Wire & Bead Pendant

This instructable will show you how to make a very pretty wire & bead pendant.

Tools:

Tweezer nose pliers (Suggest Xuron)

Round nose pliers

Nylon jaw pliers

Flush wire cutters

Supplies:

18 & 26 ga silver wire

7-8 mm round focal bead

One 4 mm silver bead

Three 3.2 mm silver beads

Two purchased medium sized jump rings

Cut 5.5" of 18 ga wire & form a diagonal frame as per the photo approx. 1-1/2" on the longest sides & approx. 1" on the shorter sides leaving enough wire to make a bail that is bent towards the back of the pendant as per the photo. Cut a second piece of 18 ga 8" which will be the inner wire of the frame & mark the center of the wire. Cut approx 3' (X 2 pieces) of 26 ga weaving wire & connect both pieces to the very top of the inner wire & start weaving 5 loops & then 1 to connect to the frame. Continue this pattern all the way to the bottom of the frame...stopping when you're almost @ the bend in the wire as per the photo. Next you will start coiling the wire onto the inner wire & then gently form loops in the wire to mirror each other on both sides of the pendant. Keep the weave neat & flush against each other then press it w/ the nylon pliers.

Find a point where you would like to wire on your focal bead & then keep coiling until you reach the top of the focal bead & then add 3 of the silver beads 3.2 mm & 4 mm & 3.2 mm. Start coiling again until you reach the point right under the focal bead & then add the last 3.2 mm silver bead. This is where you stop coiling around the wire. Next you make small curls using the round nose pliers on both sides of the pendant. Check your pendant for any needed agjustments. Add your jump rings to your pendant @ the bail & your pendant is ready to wear. (Tip: I make large jump rings so I can change out my chains easily as needed.)