Mixed Technique Pendant

Shown in Copper

Materials:

Wire of your choice

18 ga for the base

20 ga for threading beads on

24 ga for all weaving

3 pretty 12mm beads

Tools:

Wire cutters

Mandrel for forming bail

Chain nose and Round nose pliers

Cut two 18 ga wires 10” in length.  Make a bend in each about 2” from the ends as shown.  Tape to hold and start forming the ovals.

Form the inner oval first and make another bend at the top.  Do the same with the outer wire enlarging  it so there is about ¼” between the two wires at the widest point.  Make another bend at the top so all four ends nest together as shown.  I used a temporary wrap with half round to hold more securely.

Cut a piece of 24 ga wire about 2 foot in length and begin to wrap the two 18 ga wires together.  Continue until the two wires start to separate.  Here is where you will begin the basket weave. 

 It’s a little tricky to start this part, but just use your fingers to push the wire into position

 Continue the basket weave until you reach the top right side where the wires are too close to continue as shown in the following photo

   Detail of the basket weave

The bail weave is a simple over and under wrap although you may opt for the basket style as you did in the body of the pendant.

Wrap at least 1 ½” to have a nice large bail.

Bail finish detail

 Form the bail and trim the ends.  This is a strong bail and there is no need to bind all the wires together as usually done with traditional style wrapped pendants.

 This is what your pendant should look like at this point

 Now your ready to create your Herringbone style beads.  I will show you how in the next few steps.  You can also find a great free tutorial for this is by Eni Oken at www.enioken.com

NOTE:  When making your wrapped beads, do not form loop and wrapped wire at the ends

You will need three pieces of your 20 ga wire cut to about 3 inches in length plus about 54 inches of your 24 ga wire.

Take one end of your 24 ga wire and wrap once around the 20 ga wire near the center leaving a short tail. 

Place your bead on the 20 ga wire as shown and bring your long 24 ga tail up and wrap around once at the top of the bead.

Now bring that same wire down the opposite side and wrap once around the bottom.

Bring wire back up and continue this pattern until you have seven wraps around the bead.  You can have more or less as you desire.

Your completely wrapped bead should look something like this

The following photos show the back and side.  Once complete clip the excess wire and press into the center.  Make your next two beads following these instructions.

After completing your wrapped beads, attach them to the pendant. 

Bead 1:  Wrap 20 ga tails twice around the frame and trim on the back side.

Herringbone detail

Attach the second bead by pushing the end wire through the weave at the base.  Trim end and secure.  Bring the other side over to the left and wrap the end around twice, trim and secure.

 Now your ready for the third bead.  Attach one end through the weave on the right same as you did with the second bead.  Secure the left side by folding the 20 ga wire over the frame once, trim and secure.

You can add more embellishments as desired.