Single-Strand Necklace and Earrings Set with Nickel Silver and Copper Sheet, Copper Zebra Wire™ and Copper ParaWire™
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Design Idea PG28
-- Designer --
Patti, Jewelry Designer, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
To learn more about Patti Miller, read her jewelry artist success story here.
: : : Materials : : :
Click here to view a full list of materials used in this design
Please take the creative opportunity to select the products of your choice for this design, offered here at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Some materials may not be available or listed.
- Chain, Almost Jewelry™, copper-plated brass, 3.2mm snake, 18 inches with lobster claw clasp
- Ear wire, stainless steel, 16.5mm fishhook with 4x2mm coil and open loop, 21 gauge
- Jump ring, clear-coated copper, 7x6mm oval, 4.6x3.6mm inside diameter, 16 gauge
- Sheet, copper / zinc / nickel, nickel silver, half-hard, 6x6-inch square, 28 gauge
- Sheet, copper, half-hard, 6x6-inch square, 28 gauge
- Wire, anodized aluminum, purple, 3.5x1mm flat, 16 gauge
- Wire, ParaWire™, copper, round, 20 gauge
- Wire, Zebra Wire™, color-coated copper, purple, round, 18 gauge
- Wire, Zebra Wire™, color-coated copper, purple, round, 26 gauge
Instructions
Heart Focal
Step 1
- Cut one 3.5-inch length of flat aluminum wire.
- Cut one 3.25-inch length of 18-gauge wire.
- Cut three 2-inch lengths of 20-gauge wire.
- Cut five 5-inch lengths of 26-gauge wire.
Step 2
- Cut the ends of the 3.5-inch length of flat aluminum wire with a flush cutter at a 45-degree angle.
- File ends smooth.
- Color in the aluminum-colored ends with a purple marker.
- Cross the ends of the wire over themselves to form a ribbon shape.
- Use a flat nylon jaw plier to flatten the tails so the flat edges face forward.
- Punch a hole into the left-side end.
Step 3
- Make a small loop at one end of the 3.25-inch 18-gauge wire.
- Shape the wire to form the left side of the heart frame with the loop at the bottom facing right.
- Hammer the piece slightly flat on a steel block with a domed-face chasing hammer.
- Using round nose pliers and the three 2-inch lengths of 20-gauge copper wire, create one “C” shaped and two "S" shaped spirals as shown.
- Trim and adjust spirals to fit together into the left heart frame.
Step 4
- Use the 5-inch lengths of 26-gauge to wrap spirals to the left heart frame by wrapping tightly four times.
- Trim and tuck in tails in the back.
- Use the 8-inch length of 26-gauge wire to wrap the rightmost spiral to both the inside edge of the left heart frame and left side of the ribbon.
- Set the completed heart aside.
Stamped Drops
Step 5
- Lubricate cutting surface and sides of 25mm and 19mm punches with PRO-CUT™ wax lubricant.
- Cut out 25mm disc in copper sheet and 19mm disc in nickel sheet.
- Sand the disc's edges with a medium grit sanding pad.
Step 6
- Use a brass hammer to punch desired letters into discs with letter punches.
- Use painter's tape as a guide for even spacing.
- Place both discs between two steel blocks and hammer the top block with a brass hammer to re-flatten the discs.
- Use a black ultrafine marker to color in the indentations of the stamped letters.
- Punch holes in the center tops of both discs.
- File the burs smooth from the backs of the holes.
- Sand both discs with a medium-course grit sanding pad on the backsides, then on the front sides in one direction until excess ink is gone, and a clean brushed finish appears.
Step 7
- Use the jump ring to join the bottoms of the left heart frame and left side of ribbon end.
- Attach the drops with the jump ring.
- Your awareness necklace is complete, ready to wear!
Have a question regarding this design idea? Email Customer Service.
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The pieces featured in the Gallery of Designs are copyrighted designs and are provided for inspiration only. We encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.
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