ECT TV Episode 74: Spiral Pendant

I am fascinated with spirals.  I had a student ask me about this particular type of spiral and so I have started making them over and over again.In this episode of Emerging Creatively Tutorials TV (ECT TV) you'll learn a technique for making a concentric spiral, which is different from the spirals I usually teach.  You can use this spiral in your designs however you like, but in the video I'll show you how to make a pendant.Here's today's video episode:Step-by-Step Photo Instructions:(These are the same instructions in the video.)Materials and Tools:

• Wire *
• Wire cutters
• Round nose pliers
• Chain nose pliers
• Chasing hammer and steel block

*About wire:  I used 14 gauge aluminum wire.You can actually use any wire you like and any gauge you like.  The thinner the gauge of wire, the smaller your pendant will be.Step #1Cut 14 inches of wire.Step #2Find the middle of the wire. I'm holding the ends together on one end.Step #3Use your round nose pliers to fold the wire in half.Step #4Pinch the bend closed.  You can use chain nose pliers or I like to use my crimp tool to close bends like this.Step #5Hold the bent end in chain nose pliers with the wires off to the side.Step #6Push the wires up - both at the same time - starting a spiral.Step #7Readjust the wires so they're off to the side again.Step #8Push up again.Step #9Continue to spiral making sure to not cross the wires.Continue to spiral until the spiral is the size you'd like or you have about an inch and half left of wire.Step #10Bend the inside wire (which will be longer) straight up on the top of your pendant.(Note:  There are marks on my pendant because I'm using a very soft wire.  We'll get rid of all those marks at the end when we hammer.)Step #11Wrap the other wire around the wire that you just straighten one time.Step #12Hold the straight wire in round nose pliers about 1/4 above the wrap you just made. Wrap the wire around the pliers to form a loop.Step #13Hold the loop in chain nose pliers. Wrap the wire around once while straightening the loop so it's straight and centered above the pendant.Step #14Wrap around at least one more time. Trim off the excess wire and use chain nose pliers to make sure the ends aren't sticking out.Step #15Use a chasing hammer to hammer the pendant flat, holding the loop and wraps off the side of the steel block.Slide the pendant on a chain or cord and wear!The pendant on the left was made with 20 gauge wire. I used the same length of wire for both pendants, but obviously the pendant made with 20 gauge wire is significantly smaller.I hope you enjoy this fun way to make spirals!  Have fun!

Want to get future episodes of ECT TV in your inbox?  You'll also get a PDF of each ECT TV project to download and save.PLUS. . .Get my Free Intro to Wire Wrapping eCourse when you sign up!

Get on the list:

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name