ECT TV Episode 59: Front Clasp Springtime Necklace

ECT TV Episode 59Hi there and welcome to the latest episode of Emerging Creatively Tutorials TV (ECT TV)!Today's episode is a fun necklace where the clasp is in the front.In the episode you'll learn:

  • How to wire wrap side drilled beads;
  • How to make a bead dangle (a/k/a wire wrapped headpin); and
  • How to open and close jump rings.

Here's today's video episode:ECT TV Episode 59Step-by-Step Photo Instructions:These are step-by-step photo instructions of the exact same tutorial that's in the video.Tools for Making EarringsMaterials and Tools:

  • 22 gauge, half-hard round wire
  • Beads and/or charms
  • Toggle clasp
  • 7mm jump rings
  • Chain
  • Wire cutters
  • Round nose pliers
  • Chain nose pliers
  • Bent nose pliers

Beads:  I'm using side drilled flower beads, which means the beads are drilled across instead of up and down.  This requires a different technique which I'll show you.I'm also using a couple of beads that are drilled normally and for those I'll also use headpins and make them into bead dangles, which I'll show you how to do.You can also use charms of any kind.Step #1ECT TV Episode 59Cut a piece of 22 gauge wire approximately 6 inches long.  You may need to adjust the length based on how large your bead is.Step #2ECT TV Episode 59Slide your bead on the wire and center it.Step #3ECT TV Episode 59ECT TV Episode 59Bend the wire and cross it in the middle of the top of the bead.Step #4ECT TV Episode 59Twist the wire.Step #5ECT TV Episode 59Hold one of the wires with round nose pliers just above the twist.Step #6ECT TV Episode 59Wrap the wire around the round nose pliers to form a loop.Step #7ECT TV Episode 59ECT TV Episode 59Your loop will probably be off-center, so center it on top of the bead.  I wrap the wire around and while I do that I pull out the bead straight so that the loop is on top and centered.Step #8ECT TV Episode 59ECT TV Episode 59Continue wrapping the wire around.  Wrap one beneath the next.  Keep everything close together and straight.Step #9ECT TV Episode 59Now repeat with the other wire going over the wraps you just made.Step #10ECT TV Episode 59Trim off any excess wire.Step #11ECT TV Episode 59Use chain nose pliers to make sure the ends are not poking out.Step #12ECT TV Episode 59Repeat for all your side drilled beads.  I used 3 side drilled flower beads for this necklace.Step #13ECT TV Episode 59If you have any other beads you'd like to use like the butterfly beads I'm using, make them into bead dangles.Slide your bead onto a headpin.  Hold the headpin with round nose pliers just above the bead.Step #14ECT TV Episode 59Wrap the headpin around round nose pliers forming a loop.Step #15ECT TV Episode 59Just like with the side drilled bead, the loop will be off-center, so straighten it.  Hold the loop in chain nose pliers.  Wrap the wire around and at the same time pull the bead out straight.Step #16ECT TV Episode 59Wrap around 2 or 3 more times.  Trim off any extra wire.Step #17ECT TV Episode 59With your chain nose pliers, make sure that the end is not poking out.Step #18ECT TV Episode 59I have 3 flower beads, a leaf and 2 butterfly bead dangles.  You can use any beads or charms you like.Now we'll add the beads to the circle part of the toggle clasp with jump rings.Step #19how to properly open and close jump ringsOpen one jump ring for each bead dangle plus 2 to attach the clasp to the chain.Step #20ECT TV Episode 59Attach the bead dangles and charms to the circle part of the clasp.  I added one flower bead with a jump ring and then attached the other charms to that jump ring with a jump ring for each bead dangle.Step #21ECT TV Episode 59Continue adding bead dangles and charms to the clasp.  You can decide if you want to double up bead dangles or how you'd like to layer the components.Step #22ECT TV Episode 59Use jump rings to attach the clasp to each end of the chain.ECT TV Episode 59Get new episodes of ECT TV in your inbox with a PDF of the tutorial!  Sign up for my newsletter.  You'll also get my free 14 day Intro to Jewelry Making eCourse.

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