In this stunning necklace, the Labradorite nuggets and faceted rondelles aren’t the only stars of the show. The silver wirework that connects them is dazzling, too! The 22-gauge silver wire not only draws attention to the wirework, but it also has enough visual weight to carry the size of the beads. And we love how they all look together!
We’ll show you how to create the center, beaded section with one of our favorite wirework techniques, making beaded components with wrapped loops. Here’s a complete how-to video of the wirework beaded necklace. Follow along as we make the necklace, then use the steps below to make your own.
Video How-to: Labradorite Wirework Necklace
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How To Make A Labradorite Wirework Necklace
Materials
4 Faceted nugget beads, Labradorite, 12mm x 14mm
5 Faceted rondelles, silver, 6mm x 11mm
1 Lobster clasp, silver 12mm
1 Jump ring, silver, 5mm
10″ Silver chain, 4mm wide (Ours has flat oval links.)
2 Crystal bicones, silver, 4mm
22-gauge wire, silver
Tools
Chain-nose pliers
Round-nose pliers
Wire cutters
Steps
1. Start by cutting the chain into two pieces 4.5″ long each. To cut chain, you really just snip right through one of the links with your wire cutters and throw the cut link away. Easy-peasy!
2. Make a wrapped loop component featuring a silver rondelle that hooks through one end of chain. To do this, cut a piece of wire about 4″ long. Grasp the wire about halfway down with round-nose pliers and make a 90-degree bend.
3. Reposition the pliers so they are grasping the wire at the top of that bend.
4. Then push the wire up and over the top jaw of the pliers, making a partial loop.
5. Reposition the pliers so the bottom jaw of the pliers is in the partial loop and pull the wire around the rest of the way to finish making the loop. Don’t wrap the loop just yet!
6. Slide the last link of one of the chain pieces into the loop you just made.
7. Now hold that loop across with round-nose pliers and pull the tail of wire around the neck below the loop two times. We like using chain-nose pliers to pull the wire around the neck. It makes for nice, tight wraps!
8. Trim the wire as close to your wraps as possible without cutting through your work. We recommend using the flat or flush side of the wire cutters to get a straight cut.
9. If you have a little piece of wire sticking out after trimming, press it down against the wraps using chain-nose pliers.
10. Slide a silver rondelle onto the wire.
11. Pinch the wire just above the bead with the round-nose pliers.
12. Bend the wire 90 degrees, then reposition the pliers to the top of the bend.
13. Push the wire up and over the top jaw of the pliers to make a partial loop.
14. Reposition the pliers so the bottom jaw is now in the loop and pull the wire around the rest of the way to finish making the loop.
15. Grasp across with the loop with the round-nose pliers. Then pull the tail of wire around the neck two times, using the chain-nose pliers to pull the wire tight. Trim the wire. You’ve now made the first bead component!
16. To make the next component featuring a Labradorite nugget, cut another piece of wire about 4” long. Come down the wire about halfway and bend the wire 90 degrees. Then make a wrapped loop, like you did in steps 3 through 5, and again, wait to wrap the loop.
17. Hook the loop you just made through the loop on your faceted silver bead component.
18. Grasp across the new loop with round-nose pliers and wrap the tail of wire around the neck two times, as you did in step 7.
19. Slide a Labradorite nugget onto the wire.
20. Make a wrapped loop next to that bead like you did in steps 11 through 15.
21. Continue making wrapped loop components alternating Labradorites nuggets and silver rondelles, hooking each one through the previous.
22. Hook the last loop through the end of the other piece of chain.
23. To attach the clasp, cut a piece of wire 3″ long. Make a wrapped loop in one end through the last link in the chain.
24. Slide a silver bicone onto the wire. Make a wrapped loop in the other end of the wire that hooks through the jump ring. The jump ring will be the other side of the clasp.
25. Attach the lobster clasp the same way you attached the jump ring. Cut a piece of wire 3″ long. Make a wrapped loop in one end through the last link in the chain. Slide on a silver bicone. Make a wrapped loop in the other end that hooks through the lobster clasp.
Don’t you love this simple wirework technique? It makes it so easy to turn beads, plain wire, and chain into a gorgeous necklace. And you can choose any beads you like for a completely different look. It’s such a versatile way to make a necklace!
Have you tried this kind of wirework before? What did you make and how did it turn out? Let us know––we love hearing from you!
Happy Crafting,
Jennifer & Kitty
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