https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/emerald-chandelier • Posted by GMC Group
Be bold with this opulent collection by Sue Mason-Burns. Dramatic chandeliers formed from a wire framework make a perfect base from which to dangle some bling!
Be bold with this opulent collection by Sue Mason-Burns. Dramatic chandeliers formed from a wire framework make a perfect base from which to dangle some bling!
Earrings Cut 6in (150mm) of 18-gauge wire and form a wrapped loop in one end (see below). Thread on an oval crystal and finish with a wrapped loop. Trim the tail wires with a flush cutter, making sure they are both on the same side of the loops, which will be at the back of your design.
Flush-cut three lengths of 18-gauge wire, approx. 18in (450mm) long, and a 393⁄8in (1m) length of 28-gauge wire. Holding the three wires together parallel and leaving a short tail with the 28-gauge wire, begin weaving 11¾in (300mm) from one end. Coil three times around the bottom wire, three times around the bottom and middle wires together, three times around all three wires, and three times around the two lower wires again. Repeat five times.
Gently curve the woven section to match the curve of the crystal. Wrap the longer tails of wire 360 degrees around the upper wrapped loop, and the remaining three tails 180 degrees around the lower loop. Trim the 28-gauge wire tails.
Take the bottom and middle of the three upper tail wires that were just wrapped around the upper loop in an arc along the face of the crystal. Wrap them once around the lower loop.
Flush cut the remaining tail wire to approx. 11¾in (30mm) and, using round-nose pliers, form into a decorative open spiral. This should sit over the two wires running along the crystal and in the space between the woven section and these two wires.
Wrap the three lower tail wires around the lower loops once more and trim with side cutters. Use flat-nose pliers to gently press these trimmed wires into the back of your work so that they remain secure.
Flush cut the remaining two lower tail wires to 3⁄4in (20mm). Using the smaller jaw of medium bail-making pliers, form a loop in an inward direction with each of these tail wires. These will form the two upper chandelier loops from which to hang your decorative crystals.
Cut three 3¼in (80mm) lengths of 18-gauge wire. Form a small coil in one end of each length, to act as a decorative headpin. Thread an 8mm crystal onto each headpin and turn a simple loop. Open the loops in the tops of each of the headpins and attach the crystals to the lower loops of the earring design. Make a second earring as a mirror image.
Cut two 4in (100mm) lengths of 18-gauge wire and turn a loop at one end of each. Using the larger jaw of large bail-making pliers, bend the hook part of the earwires. Trim and turn the ends up with flat-nose pliers. Hammer the bends of the earwires flat. Open the loops and attach to the upper loop of the earrings.
Ensure both earwires are identical by making them at the same time. Before you cover any part of a bead with wire wrapping, be sure to wipe any finger marks off the bead.
Pendant Follow the same pattern as for the earrings, but instead of the simple crisscross at the lower loop, add some decorative loops and a simple figure-of-eight woven section to the front of your pendant.
Making a wrapped loop This style of loop is the most secure. Once attached, it cannot be removed unless it is cut off. Thread a bead onto a head- or eyepin. Grip the wire with round-nose pliers next to the bead.
Bend the wire above the plier jaw to a right angle. You will need about 1⁄8in (2mm) of wire above the bead before the bend.
Move the plier jaws to sit at the top of the bend.
With your thumb, push the wire back around the pliers, keeping it tight to the jaw.
Keep pushing the wire around the jaw until you meet the bead.
Move the pliers around the loop to hold it close to the open side. Continue to bend the wire around until it is facing out at a right angle and you have a complete loop.
Use a pair of chain-nose pliers to hold across the loop firmly. Make sure any chain or ring is above the pliers. If adding the loop to chain or a jumpring, thread the loop onto the chain at this stage
Wrap the wire around the neck of the loop until it meets the bead.
Take side cutters and snip off any excess wire. Make sure the flat side of the cutter jaws is facing the coil.
Take the chain-nose pliers and push the cut end of the wire into the coil, so it sits flush.