ECT TV Episode 69: Bead and Chain Anklet Tutorial
Today I have a quick and simple anklet tutorial for you today!Yesterday I shared my process from inspiration to final jewelry piece for this anklet, but today I have the step-by-step tutorial for how to make this piece.In this tutorial you'll learn:
- How to make a wire wrapped bead link with multiple beads;
- How to open and close jump rings; and
- How to put it all together to make a sweet anklet.
Here's today's Emerging Creatively Tutorials TV (ECT TV) video:
Step-by- Step Photo Instructions:These are the step-by-step photo instructions of the exact same tutorial that's in the video.Tools and Materials:
- Beads - you can use any beads you like, but I choose 3 different beads that are 3 different colors to go along with my inspiration. My beads are all recycled glass beads.
- Chain - use any chain you like. I have a collection of smaller pieces of chain leftover from other projects that I used for this project
- Jump rings - I used 7mm jump rings, but feel free to use any sturdy jump rings you like
- 20 gauge, half-hard wire
- Lobster clasp
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
- Bent nose pliers
Step #1
I used a few beads on each strand. I'll show you how to make 1 strand and then you just repeat the process for each strand.Alternatively, you could just make one strand.Cut a piece of wire approximately 3 inches longer than the beads for one strand.Hold the wire 1 1/2 inches from the top in round nose pliers.Step #2
Wrap the wire down and around the pliers to form a loop.Step #3
The loop will be off-center, so we need to center it. Hold the loop in chain nose pliers. Wrap the short wire around the long wire once while pulling out the long wire straight.Step #4
Wrap the wire around 2 more times. You can use bent nose pliers to help you wrap. Make sure that you're wraps are close together and neat.Step #5
Trim off the excess wire making a flush cut.Step #6
Use chain nose pliers to make sure the wire is not poking out.Step #7
Slide your beads onto the wire.Step #8
Hold the wire in round nose pliers about 1/4 inch above the beads.Step #9
Now we'll make a wire wrapped loop on this side just like we did at the beginning.Wrap the wire around the round nose pliers to form a loop.Step #10
Hold the loop in chain nose pliers. Wrap the wire around 1 time while pulling the beads out straight to straighten the loop.Step #11
Make 2 more wraps keeping your wraps straight and neat.Step #12
Trim off the excess wire making a flush cut.Step #13
Use chain nose pliers to make sure the end is not poking out.Step #14
Repeat for all 3 strands with your different sets of beads.Step #15
Figure out how long you need your chain to be. Measure your ankle and then measure the bead link and clasp. Subtract the length of the bead link and clasp from the total length you need and that's how long your chain needs to be.You will need to do this for each bead link unless you've made each bead link exactly the same length.
Keep each chain with the corresponding bead link so you don't mix them up.Step #16
Cut the chain in half. Attach one half of the chain to each end of the bead link.Step #17
Repeat for each strand.Step #18
Attach one end of all of the chains to a jump ring and place the clasp on it as well.Step #19
On the other end place all the chains in a jump ring and then add a couple of additional jump rings.Customize this anklet:
- Use any beads you like - mix them up like I did or use just one type of bead.
- You can mix up the beads in the individual strands as well.
- Make just 1 strand.
- Use just 1 bead per strand or make the wire wrapped bead links longer. If you make them longer you may need to curve the wire to fit with the curve of your ankle.