ECT TV Episode 55: Skeleton Key Ornament
Hi and welcome to another episode of Emerging Creatively Tutorials TV (ECT TV)!Today I’ll teach you how to make this pretty skeleton key ornament and we'll use a couple of jewelry making techniques.This could be a great last minute handmade gift idea or beautiful on your tree!Here’s today’s video episode:
Step-by-Step Photo Instructions:These are step-by-step photo instructions of the exact same tutorial that’s in the video, except in photos.
Materials and Tools:I just went through my stash of supplies and choose a variety of buttons, beads and crystals. I used green and red, but if you use different colors in your decor, then by all means use colors and materials that make sense to you.
- Skeleton Key
- Buttons
- Beads
- Lace or ribbon
- 22 gauge half hard wire or 20 gauge half-hard wire
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
- Bent nose pliers
Step #1
You can use a variety of different charms and materials on this ornament. I'll show you how to wire wrap a button first to make a charm.Cut a piece of wire. How much you need depends on the size of you button, but you'll need about 5" or so for about a 1" button.Step #2
Slide the button on the wire and center the button on it. Twist the wire once.Step #3
Hold one of the wires in round nose pliers. If one wire is longer than the other, use that wire. If they're the same it doesn't matter which one you use.Step #4
Twist the wire around the pliers and between the button and pliers.Step #5
Remove the round nose pliers and hold the loop with your chain nose pliers. Wrap the wire around once and while you're doing that straighten out the loop so it's centered on top of the button.Step #6
Now continue wrapping the wire around, keeping your wraps straight and tight. Then wrap the other wire. (I change hands for this.)Trim off the excess wire and make sure the ends don't poke out.
Now you have a button that's ready for your ornament. Repeat for all the buttons you would like to use.Step #7
You may also want to make wire wrapped bead dangles. You could use pre-made headpins, spiral headpins or I used a knotted headpin, which I'll show you how to make here.First cut at least 3" of wire.Step #8
Bend the wire a third of the way down.Step #9
Hold the end with the bend in chain nose pliers. Bend up the shorter end.Step #10
Wrap the wire around the end several times so it looks like a knot. You can do this as sloppily or as neatly as you like.
Then trim off the excess wire and make sure the end isn't poking out.Step #11
Slide a bead onto the headpin.Step #12
Hold the wire just above the bead with round nose pliers. Wrap the wire around pliers and between the pliers and bead forming a loop.Step #13
Remove the round nose pliers and hold the loop in chain nose pliers. Straighten the loop while wrapping the wire around once.Step #14
Continue with a few more wraps. Cut off the excess wire and make sure the end isn't poking out.
Step #15
I also used a couple chandelier crystals using the same technique as with the buttons.
And here are all my materials ready to add to my key. if you're using a smaller key, you will need less embellishment.Step #16Cut a piece of wire about 24" long. You may need less if your key is smaller.Step #17
Wrap the wire around the top of the key. You can catch the end in the wraps and make sure the wire is secure.Step #18
Slide on one of the charms you made. Wrap the wire around the key a couple of times to secure it. Continue adding charms and wrapping moving down the key slightly.Hint: Hold the charm in place while you wrap the wire to keep the charm in the place you want it to be in.Step #19
I missed taking a photo, but when you're done adding charms, wrap the wire around the key a few times and secure it. Go back up through some of the charms to secure the wire.Step #20
Tie a bow around the top with ribbon or lace and then make a hanger. You could use a wire ornament hanger instead of using ribbon.From me here at Emerging Creatively Tutorials, I hope you have very happy holidays!Warmly,KimP.S.Start the New Year out with lots of creativity and jewelry making with Rediscover Your Creativity & Make Jewelry eCourse that starts on January 4th, 2016!It's a 6 week eCourse that has creativity boosters, jewelry making skills lessons and jewelry making projects (a total of 18!)Learn more and sign up here.
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