Did you know that Soft Flex Company sells some really fun, chunky chain? It comes in 36" lengths in a few fun shapes and sizes. The chain is copper (available in copper, silver-plated, and gold-plated), so it's easy to cut apart and use in small amounts for several different project, such as earrings, bracelets, etc.Here's a beaded and wire-wrapped pendant that uses one link each of a couple different chains. In addition to the chain, this sparkling pendant incorporates 28-gauge Soft Flex Craft Wire in Bare Copper, .019 diameter Soft Flex Beading Wire in Red Jasper and Citrine and Swarovski Elements crystal rounds in Crystal Copper and Crystal Brandy. The colors of the crystals work perfectly to blend the colors of the chain and wire.
Materials needed:
1 link of 36mm Hexagon Copper Chain with attached 10mm jump ring
1 round 22mm link of Oval and Round Textured Copper Chain
About 60" of 28 gauge Bare Copper Craft Wire
6" of Rdd Jasper .019 Beading Wire
6" of Citrine .019 Beading wire
4 Copper 2mm Crimp Tubes
4 Copper 3mm Crimp Covers
26 Crystal Copper 2mm Swarovski Elements Crystal Rounds
16 Crystal Brandy 4mm Swarovski Elements Crystal Rounds
Tools needed:
1.25mm Hole Punch Pliers
Cutters
Bead Stoppers
Chain Nose Pliers
Crimping Pliers
Finished Size: 1 7/8"
Step 1: Separate 1 link of hexagon chain from the 36" chain, making sure to keep a jump ring attached. Separate 1 round link from the other chain. Use the hole punch pliers to punch four evenly-spaced holes around the round chain link.
Step 2: Use the Red Jasper wire to string 1 hole of the round link (bottom to top), 4 crystal copper 4mn crystal rounds, and the opposite hole of the round link (top to bottom). Adjust the wire so that the beads are at the center of the wire.
Step 3: Use the citrine wire to string 1 hole of the round link (bottom to top) and 3 crystal brandy 2mm crystal rounds. Pass the wire under the red jasper wire between the second and third 4mm crystals. String 3 crystal brandy 2mm crystal rounds and the opposite hole of the round link (top to bottom). Adjust the wire so that the beads are at the center of the wire.
Step 4: Use 1 red jasper wire end to string 1 crimp tube. Loop the wire around 1 corner of the hexagon chain link and pass back through the crimp tube. Place Bead Stoppers on both sides of the wire loop to keep it in place, ensuring the right tension when you go to crimp. Repeat with the other end of the red jasper wire. Use chain nose pliers to snug the wire ends. Repeat entire step using the citrine wire.
Step 5: Adjust crimps as necessary and crimp all four crimp tubes. Cover each crimp tube with 1 crimp cover, moving Bead Stoppers around as necessary to get the crimping pliers into the small space.
Step 6: Use about 24" of 28-gauge wire to begin wrapping around the hexagon chain link at the bottom of the pendant. Wrap back and for a couple of times to secure the wire end. String 1 crystal copper crystal round and secure it in the wire wrap at the very bottom point of the hexagon chain link. Wrap a few times around the link. String 1 crystal copper crystal round and secure it in the wire wrap. *Wrap the wire loosely around the chain link until you get to the next point of the hexagon. Wrap three more crystal copper crystal rounds, one at a time, at the point of the chain link. Repeat from * once.
Step 7: Wrap the wire fairly loosely around the chain link until you get to the next point of the hexagon. Wrap three more crystal copper crystal rounds, one at a time, at the point of the chain link. Repeat around the pendant, adding wire when necessary and making sure to pass the wire through the attached jump ring, until you reach the beginning of the wrap. Add one more crystal copper round to the bottom point of the chain link. Begin wrapping around the chain link again, adding two 4mm crystal brandy crystal rounds to each point of the hexagon, and wrapping only a few times between each point. Be sure to secure the jump ring between the two 4mm crystals at the top of the chain link. Tuck wire ends into the wraps to secure.
Enjoy!
Guest blogger Jamie Hogsett is the Education Coordinator for Soft Flex Company and a Swarovski Elements Ambassador. Contact her at Jamie@SoftFlexCompany.com.
