Free Form Wire Wrapped Pendant

Skill Level: Beginner/All

Technique: Wire sculpting

Sue Beck was a runner-up in our 2009 contest with her freeform pendant design. The possibilities that you can create with a simple wire bundle are endless - and here is a lovely example of a shaped bundle that you can adorn with beads of your choice.

Materials

• 21-gauge dead soft square sterling silver wire, two 6" pieces
• 21-gauge dead soft square 14kt gold filled wire, two 6" pieces
• 21-gauge half hard half round 14kt gold filled wire, 6"
• 11   4mm bicone Swarovski crystals

Tools

• Flat nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Chain nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Pin Vise
• Small Mandrel
• Tape, such as quilters tape

Instructions

1. Using the pin vise and flat nose pliers, twist the two sterling silver wires.
   
   

2. Lay the twisted silver wires between the gold wires, using quilters tape to stabilize. Place one wrap in the center of the wire bundle using gold half-round wire.
   
   
3. Begin to bend the wire bundle in a lazy "U" with the wrap slightly off center to the right. To the left side of the first wrap, add a second wire wrap approximately ¾" from the first so that the two wraps are in the 4 and 8 o'clock positions. Add a third wrap on the left side about 1 to 1¼" from the last wrap and begin to free form and sculpt the bail utilizing a mandrel.
   
   
   
4. After sculpting the bail, add a fourth wrap on the back side of the bail. Then continue to curve the four wires to cross in front of the left side of your pendant. Using either chain nose or round nose pliers, secure wires to left side of pendant.
   
   
   
   
5. Choose eleven 4mm Swarovski bicones in one or two colors. When adding the crystals to your pendant, use your artistic eye to place the four wires in an aesthetic fashion. Place one bicone on the innermost gold wire and secure the wire to the left side of pendant frame. Add two more bicones to the next silver wire, securing it to the frame. Add three more bicones to the next silver wire, once again securing it to the frame. Add five bicones to the last gold wire and secure it to the frame. Check all your wire connections to be certain they are smoothly wrapped and will not scratch the wearer or catch delicate fabric. Enjoy your pendant!!
   
   

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