Kristal Wick's Tropical Breeze Necklace, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop. I made this focal piece using traditional stained glass techniques of soldering with bevels and encasing a piece of my hand painted silk fabric.

Tropical Breeze Necklace

by Kristal Wick
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Chain Making, Making Loops
  • Skill Level: Beginner
I made this focal piece using traditional stained glass techniques of soldering with bevels and encasing a piece of my hand painted silk fabric. I considered using a simple commercial chain but I wanted to really pop the focal and pull in more depth with the complementary wire and texture using the lovely crystal links. When you need something simple and functional, consider making your own chain. Then see where it takes you! To add a focal piece or not-that is the question (sorry Shakespeare)!

Materials

20 Gauge Round Antique Copper Enameled Craft Wire - 30 ft
H5-Q20-30FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $6.80
  • Gold Club Price: $5.10
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8mm Topaz 5000 Round Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 6
A13-186
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.97
  • Gold Club Price: $3.73
Out of Stock
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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20 X 15 Inch Padded Work Mat
MAT-620.00
  • MAT-620.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
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Wubbers Small Bail Making Pliers
G2-1301
  • G2-1301
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.95
  • Gold Club Price: $18.71
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Instructions
Step 1
Be sure to work on the mat when cutting wire so you don't scratch up your work surface.
Cut a piece of 3" wire using the flush cutters. Using chain nose pliers, make 90 degree bend at 1".

Kristal Wick's Tropical Breeze Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Tropical breeze necklace
Step 2
Place the bend in the largest jaw of the small Wubbers bail making pliers and wrap the wire end around the jaw to complete a loop.
Kristal Wick's Tropical Breeze Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Tropical breeze necklace
Step 3
Using your fingers or chain nose pliers, tightly wrap the long wire around the shorter wire 5 times.
Kristal Wick's Tropical Breeze Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Tropical breeze necklace
Step 4
Trim excess wire and wrap existing wire around smallest jaw of the small Wubbers bail making pliers, making a simple loop. Trim excess wire.
Kristal Wick's Tropical Breeze Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Tropical breeze necklace
Step 5
Cut a 1.5" piece of wire. Create crystal links by making a simple loop at one end of the wire; slipping a crystal onto the wire and making a simple loop at the other end of the wire. Make 6 crystal links.
Kristal Wick's Tropical Breeze Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Tropical breeze necklace
Step 6
Create the chain: Connect 2 wire links to each other by opening up one end of the link and inserting 2nd link loop, then closing the link. Add a crystal link and repeat this pattern until you have enough length to go over your head and you don't need a clasp.
Kristal Wick's Tropical Breeze Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Tropical breeze necklace
Step 7
Attach the chain to your focal by opening up one end of a link and inserting the focal loop, then closing the link.
Kristal Wick's Tropical Breeze Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Tropical breeze necklace