Teaching the Next Generation
 Stringing Techniques
Making a Pendant
by Sarajane Helm
This project features directions for a bead and wire pendant that can be worn quite simply on a chain, or it can be strung into a long and elegant swath of beads!
The beads shown here are polymer clay, class, and metal, but any beads can be used.
The polymer clay beads shown here include faux coral and faux cinnabar, and a caned "Japanese Girl" bead made by appliqué technique in which many tiny slices are layered onto a polymer core.
The first step to successful stringing is to gather your components.
Beads that don't get used in the necklace can be used to make beautiful coordinating earrings.
The pendant shown is on a gold chain, and featured with two polymer clay tile earrings.
 In addition to beads, you will need:
- 20 gauge jewelry/craft wire
- round nose(chain nose) pliers
- jewelers cement or super glue
- earring findings (french hooks, wires, etc)
- chain necklace (if desired) or thread for stringing beads.
These are two options for using with the pendant.
 To make the pendant:
- Cut a 6 inch piece of wire.
- Use the tip of the round nose pliers to curl a small loop at one end of the wire, then bend the wire slightly where the circle closes as shown.
- Thread the beads onto the wire, using small spacers in between if desired.
- You may need to try several arrangements and combinations until you are pleased.
- I have used the large Girl bead on top, followed by the medium faux coral bead, and then the small vintage glass crystal bead, with gold glass spacers in between.
- Trim wire if needed to about 1 1/2".
- Then use the wider part of the round nose pliers to make two loops, starting down by the spacer bead at the top of the large bead.
- Wrap the end of the wire back around the original stem, under the loops.
- Make these "carrier" loops large enough to feed your favorite delicate gold chain, or for one or more strands of strung beads.
|
