Create a Wire Art Necklace

Have some extra wire, some beads and are super bored? If you like custom jewelry, try making your own necklaces and chokers. You can personalize colors to match and complement your outfits and make one-of-a-kind designs.

Steps

  1. Prepare the wire you will use. Using a polishing cloth, fold over the wire portion. Pull and stretch an 18" section, or more, of wire directly from the coil pack of your crafting wire.
  2. Cut the wire into {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} pieces. Cut at least 30 such strips, depending upon your neck size. The finished necklace will measure about 18"-25", depending upon your "S" link count.
  3. Twist each {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} strip into little figure 8's, or think of a "S" but keep in mind each end must be closed against the inside of the "S".
    • Before cutting all 30 pieces, cut one piece a little too long, measure it and bend. Measure how much extra there is once you've bent the piece and subtract that length from the original length to determine how long to cut the pieces.
  4. Make your own "O"-shaped rings by coiling the wire around a thin rod or the tip of your pliers. Alternatively, buy them from the craft shop.
  5. Interlock your handmade "S" links by placing an "O" between them. If you wish, check that all the "S" links point the same way, or alternate directions for a slightly different look. The photo shows the "S" links in alternate directions.
  6. Attach a clasp of your choice.
    • Create "O" ring and fish-hook type fastener for back of the neck. Or...
    • Purchase a barrel clasp, tube magnet closure, or other style at a craft shop. A toggle clasp is a great finish, as it is easy to open and close.
  7. Find the center of the chain, opposite the clasp, and attach any Make a Wooden Pendant for a Necklace you wish. Use another "O" ring or two if you need to, to get the pendant facing forward.

Tips

  • Choose a semi-soft brass or silver-colored wire. Remember the gauge marked on wire coil describes the thickness of the wire. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the wire. That is, 28 gauge is thinner wire than 20 gauge.
  • Brass and other metals naturally oxidize. Either choose a wire that will resist oxidation and discoloration, clean your work periodically with metal cleaners or jewelry dips, use a thin jewelers clear coat lacquer, or let the oxidation lend the piece a natural, aged look.
  • Remember that you can accent your chain with glass beads or semi-precious stones, too. Make sure to choose beads whose holes are large enough to let the wire pass through them.
  • Your crafting will determine how perfect and neat your "S" links come out. Like anything else, the more you practice twisting art wire, the better you get at creating wire links. There are more ways to twist than one could imagine, so let your imagination take hold!
  • If you bend metal the wrong way, you can bend it back (if it is strong enough), but be mindful of metal fatigue. That is, when metal has been bent repeatedly, it will work harden and become brittle, causing it to break.
  • A jewelers file or file made for metalwork can be used to make the tips of the wire smooth and dull after you cut them so you can shape them better without getting cut. If you use flush cutters, it is not necessary to file the ends!

Warnings

  • Be careful not to use galvanized wire, which many people are sensitive to.
  • Wear eye protection when trimming wire. It can go flying.
  • The ends of the wires can be razor sharp when cut with the wire cutters, Use a jewelers file to smooth them out if you have one. If you purchase a true pair of flush cutters (one cut side ends up pointed and the 'good' side will be flat).

Things You'll Need

  • Needle nose pliers (rounded)
  • Flat pliers
  • Brass coiled round wire (packed and sold by craft shops). Try to buy wire that is soft in temper, not half-hard, it is much easier to work with, especially in heavier gauges.
  • Heavy duty pliers to tightly squeeze closures and finish handmade "S" links in chains.
  • Wire cutting pliers.
  • Super flush cutters will result in a flat end of the cut wire rather than the points; more professional and worth the investment(s).
  • Jeweler's file (wood files won't work)

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Create_a_Wire_Art_Necklace&oldid=277020"