ECT TV Episode 67: Spiral Wire Pendant
Welcome to Emerging Creatively Tutorials TV (ECT TV)! In today's episode, I'll teach you how to make this pretty spiral pendant!Here's the video:
Step-by-Step Photo Instructions:This is the same tutorial that's in the video, but in step-by-step photos.Tools and Materials:
- Big chunky focal bead that is side drilled (works better if it's at least somewhat flat)
- 20 gauge half-hard wire
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
Step #1
Cut about 10 inches of wire. You may need to adjust the length depending on the size of your bead. Mine is about 1 inch across.Step #2
Slide the bead on and center it on the wire.Step #3
Cross the wires across the top keeping them tight against the bead.Step #4
Twist the wire in the middle of the bead. I think the trickiest part is twisting in the middle.I twisted the wire twice. Make sure to keep the wire tight against the bead.Step #5
We'll work with one wire at a time, so I like to pull one up straight and the other off to the side.Step #6
Hold the wire in round nose pliers about 1/4 inch above the twist.Step #7
Wrap the wire around the pliers and in between the pliers and the twist forming a loop.Step #8
The loop you just made will be off center, so we'll straighten it now.Hold the loop in chain nose pliers. Wrap the wire around once while pulling the bead out straight.
Step #9
Wrap the wire around 2 more times.Step #10
Leave any extra wire for now.Step #11
Now we'll work with the other wire that was just waiting off to the side.Pull it straight down the bead.Step #12
Make a flush cut on the end of the wire. (On most wire cutters just use the back of the wire cutters toward what you're cutting.)Step #13
Form a loop.Hold the wire in round nose pliers so that the wire is at the top of the pliers but not poking through the top. (You can run your finger over to check.)Twist the wrist that is holding the round nose pliers away from you while using your other hand to wrap the wire around the pliers.Go as far as your wrist will allow then readjust your round nose pliers in the wire and complete the loop. It will look like a "P".Step #14
Hold the loop in chain nose pliers.Step #15
Push the wire up.Step #16
Readjust the loop in the chain nose pliers so it's off to the side again and repeat step #15. Continue to do this spiraling around until the spiral is where you would like it to be on the bead.I went a little more than halfway up the bead.
Step #17
Use your chain nose pliers to bend back the wire so the spiral is straight.Step #18
Push the spiral against the bead so it's flat.
Step #19
Now, with the other wire (the one that formed the wire wrapped loop at the top of the bead), you could just trim it and be done, but I decided to make a spiral at the top, too.Trim the wire to about an inch (or longer if you want a larger spiral.)Step #20
Follow Step #13 above to form a loop.Step #21
Then follow Steps #14 - #16 to make a spiral.You'll have to sort of adjust it when you're done with your chain nose pliers so it's in front of the wire wrapped loop.Just add it to a chain or cord and you have a pretty pendant!
Upcoming eCourse:
Inspired eCourse gives you creativity activities and art journal prompts then I show you how to take the inspiration out of your art journal pages to design your own beautiful jewelry.The next session starts on July 25, 2016.Learn more about Inspired eCourse here.There is a payment plan available for easy weekly payments.Note: This eCourse is not available all the time. I run it once or twice a year.
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