Single-Strand Necklace with Crystal Passions® Beads, Crystal Focal and Wirework

Designed by Magan Weid
EC46

Silver Party Streamer and Crystal Prism Necklace

: : : Materials : : :

  • Pliers, round-nose
  • Pliers, flush-cutters
  • Bead, Crystal Passions, crystal AB, 3mm (2 beads)
  • Bead, Crystal Passions, crystal AB, 6mm (4 beads)
  • Bead, Crystal Passions, crystal AB, 8mm (3 beads)
  • Bead, Crystal Passions, crystal AB, 10mm (4 beads)
  • Bead, Crystal Passions, crystal AB, 12mm (4 beads)
  • Focal, 20-30mm crystal, round (1 focal)
  • Head pin, silver-filled or silver-plated, 4-inch, 20 gauge (1 head pin)
  • Head pin, silver-filled or silver-plated, 2-inch, 20 gauge (18 head pins)
  • Jump rings, silver-filled or silver-finished, 6mm (10 jump rings)
  • Jump rings, silver-plated, twisted round, 10mm (4 jump rings)
  • Chain, curb chain, 37-inch (1 chain)

This necklace's chain splits into 3 extensions in the center. With the accent crystals, they create even more movement and light, it's very fun to wear and look at. It shows up best, of course, in sunlit sparkles, but the AB effect is great in artificial light. The large centerpiece prism is a bit heavy. I like it, but you may prefer to substitute a 20mm. The chain extends beyond the clasp to a tail with crystals for more style and flair. I've used clear AB rondelles. Feel free to use colored crystals or alter the shape to suit your style. Have fun making it, and it will show in your finished product.

Caution: If you don't have wire work experience, it will likely become even more addicting than beading itself and I'll have created a monster! Once you make this beauty, you'll know it's super-fast and easy, but gorgeous year after year . You'll be giving them as birthday gifts, creating matching earrings, key chains… well, you know.

You'll need to know how to create a standard looped end on a head pin, how to open and close jump rings correctly, and how to do a basic wire wrap or weave. Simple to do, and well worth learning for those new to jewelry making.

Making Ribbon

STEP 1
Start with wrapping the center of both the 18-inch wires around the fattest part of round nose pliers, and pinch the wires together underneath. Make sure 1 loop is just a tad bit larger, and pinch underneath so the wires are bent at 90 degree angle, but with a slight gap between them. The smaller of the 2 loops should pinch underneath tightly, with wires touching. Now, when you put them together, one loop lays inside the other. Lay about 1/2 inch of the end of your wrapping wire, pointed down, at the base of the loop and in the middle of the 4 wires.
STEP 2
Begin wrapping the 2-wire loop you created. When you reach the 4 wire junction again, begin wrapping or weaving as you like.

Tip: If you want a simple, easy version, or a cleaner look, use half round wire to wrap, with the flat side against base wires, and just do one continuous, tight wrap. For those familiar with wire weaving, use your favorite wire in any gauge and weave pattern you like.

Note: If you're new to wire work, just remember to hold the 4 wires securely in your left hand between thumb and forefinger just below the wrapping wire so they don't get twisted as you wrap. If this is still a bit much for wire work neophytes, try square wire as the base. Half round wrap over square wire base is pretty foolproof and user-friendly.

Finishing the Ribbon

STEP 3
I don't know about the experiences of others, but when I finish wrapping/weaving, my base wires are uneven. On one side or the other of the 4 wire tail points, you are going to need to stop wrapping/weaving at least 2 inches from the tip of the shortest side. You'll probably lose some of the length when you begin twisting and curling your ribbon into a party streamer. If in doubt, err on the side of caution. Now, snip a bit extra of your wrap wire and tuck it up inside the wrap.
STEP 4
Use cushioned round nose pliers to coil, curl and twist the ribbon until you create a party streamer look. That done, just create a curve of the ribbon around the general shape of the prism crystal.

Finish the ribbon, wire cutters in hand, by laying the 4 base wire tails out flat. Starting with the shortest, make a diagonal pattern cutting the first wire about 1/2 inch below the wrap, the 2nd wire about 1/3 inch below the wrap, the 3rd about 3/4 inch below the wrap, making the last wire almost 1-inch long below the wrap. You'll need to round off the ends of all 4 wires so there are no sharp points or snags. Do this with your wire rounders, sandpaper, or my personal favorite, a nail file or heavy emery board (from the cosmetics section of any drug store or department store).

Feel each smooth end with your fingertip all the way around. When you're satisfied, just wipe with soft rag.
STEP 5
Using 2-inch head pins, create standard looped ends, individually, on a 3mm, 6mm, 8mm and 12mm crystals. Now, slip the loop of the 3mm crystal on the shortest wire. Use the small tip of your round nose pliers, curl the wire one and a half times. The crystal should be at the end of the wire inside the tiny jump ring you've created. Repeat with the remaining crystals until the 12mm is on the longest wire. Separate them out, move them up or down, whatever. As long as it looks the way you want when you're done.

Note: If you've chosen to do one 18-inch wire instead of 2, use the same directions for the ends, trimming both to approximately 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch long. Put the loop of a 6mm crystal on one wire and create a jump ring. Repeat with the loop of an 8mm on the second wire and create your second jump ring. Done!

Adding Crystals and Finishing the Chain

STEP 6
The necklace uses 5 pieces of chain, which are very simply connected with twisted round jump rings.

Cut 37-inches of chain into 2 long pieces 11-1/2 inches long, and 4 short pieces 3-1/2 inches long.
STEP 7
Taking your 4-inch head pin, thread a 10mm on first. Add an 8mm, 6mm and 3mm crystal onto a 2-inch head pin, in that order. Finish with a standard closed loop. This will be attached to a short piece of chain. You can either loop the head pin through one end of the chain as you finish it, or attach the loop to one end of the chain with a small jump ring. Use a twisted round jump ring on the other end and connect one of the long pieces of 11-1/2 inch chain.

Connect the small jump ring on the clasp to one end of the remaining 11-1/2 inch chain.
STEP 8
There are 2 ways to attach your crystals to the chains. Both start with threading each of the crystals onto a 2-inch head pin and finishing with a closed loop. The first option is to directly create the loop through a link of the chain as you finish the wrapped loop. The alternative is to finish your closed loop and attach it to a link of the chain with a small jump ring.

The first crystals you'll attach (by the loops), are 6mm. Add one crystal to each of the long pieces of 11-1/2 inch chain, about 5-1/2 inches from the top/clasp ends. Next, attach the loop of an 8mm crystal on each long chain, about 7-1/2 inches from the top. Now, attach the loops of 10mm crystals 9-1/2 inches down. This leaves over 2 inches on each long chain.
STEP 9
Working with the last 3 pieces of chain (3-1/2 inches long), thread the first short chain through the top loop of the silver wire ribbon. Put a twisted round jump ring on each end of this chain, leaving them open. Now, thread a second short piece of chain through the bail of the prism and drop each ending link of the chain on the open jump rings.

Note: If the chain link is too small to put a twisted round jump ring through, connect all 3 short chains onto a smaller jump ring on either end. Put a small jump ring on the bottom link of each long piece of chain.
STEP 10
To finish the chain, put the loop of your 12mm crystals onto each of the open jump rings (after the 2 short chains). Put your last twisted jump ring onto the loop of your last 12mm crystal and close it. Thread your last short piece of chain through this twisted jump ring, and place each end of this short chain with the other two on the open jump rings. Finally, place the end of one of the long pieces of 11-1/2 inch chain on either of the open twisted jump rings. Close both of the open twisted jump rings, and... Success!!

: : : Additional Resources : : :

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