Rosary Links

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• 

  Step 1

  To make a wrapped loop necklace link

  Take a 4–43⁄4in (10–12cm) length of 18AWG (1mm) wire and loop it as shown about 1 3⁄8in (3.5cm) from one end of the wire, into a round shape using your round-nose pliers.

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  Step 2

  Grip nearer the base of the loop with chain-nosed pliers (if possible with the pliers placed flat across the whole loop). Bend the shorter wire tail to the side where it crosses under the longer length 
of wire. Straighten the longer length of wire, bending it slightly at the crossing point. Pull the shorter wire tail to wrap it around the longer wire length at the crossing point so that it points in the opposite direction.

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  Step 3

  Thread a bead onto the longer length of wire so that it lies tight against the first loop you made. Make a loop at the other side of the bead using chain-nosed pliers, adjusting the loop so that there is 
no “play” or gap between the loops and the bead.

  Tip
  Try to make sure the loops are all the same size by making them at the same point on your chain-nosed pliers.

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  Step 4

  Grip each loop with chain-nosed pliers and wrap the wire tails around the base of the loop with your fingers or another set of pliers. You have a few options now:
  • You can cut the wire tail with flush cutters and press the ends down around the wrap to press the cut ends in so they don’t catch on skin or clothing.
  • You can wrap the wire tails over to the other side of the bead.
  • You can make a swirl curl detail over the bead, as follows:


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  Step 5

  Cut the wire tails to 3⁄8–5⁄8in (10–15mm) depending on the size of curl you want to make over the bead or the size of bead you are working with.

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  Step 6

  Spiral the wire tails. Press the wire tails down over the bead using your fingers or the rubber ends of your pliers. Your little link is finished. Make more in the same way, but make sure you add on one link to the next before you close that loop.

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  Step 7

  Making the loop end of the clasp
  The loop end of the clasp is made in the same way as the links except with a much larger loop on the loop side.
  
  Take a 6in (15cm) length of 20–18AWG (0.8–1mm) wire and loop it near one end of the wire into a teardrop shape. Use your fingers or a pencil-sized mandrel to make a more circular loop.

• 

  Step 8

  Bend the shorter wire tail to the side where it crosses over the longer length of wire. Straighten the longer length of wire, bending it slightly at the crossing point.

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  Step 9

  Grip the base of the loop with chain-nosed pliers and pull the wire tail to wrap it once around the longer wire length at the crossing point in a 180-degree loop.

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  Step 10

  At this stage you can alter the shape of your loops using the chain-nosed pliers. You can make the loop teardrop shaped, angular, or completely circular by placing the loop around a ring mandrel to shape the wire.

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  Step 11

  Hammer the large loop on a steel block to create a flat, reflective surface.

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  Step 12

  Thread a bead onto the long length of wire so it sits tight against the large loop. Make a smaller loop on the other side of the bead as in Step 4. Grip the smaller loop with your chain-nosed pliers and pull the wire tail around the top of the bead to make a spiral over the end of the bead around the closed loop.

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  Step 13

  Cut the wire tail at this end to 3⁄8–5⁄8in (10–15mm). Grip the larger teardrop-shaped loop with your chain-nosed pliers near the base of the loop and across both sides of the loop, spiraling the wire end around and along the loop for a few wraps (you can also wind down over the bead; it is your choice).

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  Step 14

  Cut the wire tail at the large loop end to 5⁄8–13⁄16in (15–20mm).

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  Step 15

  Spiral the wire tails: Press the spiral at the small loop end over the bead and the spiral at the 
larger loop end over the base ofthe loop.

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  Step 16

  Making the hook end of the clasp

  Take a 6in (15cm) length of 18AWG (1mm) wire and make a small spiral at one end.

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  Step 17

  Shape this end of the wire into a shepherd’s crook shape. You can wrap the wire around a mandrel, bale-making pliers, or a round pen. Make a slight bend at the base of the hook leaving a straight wire tail (see arrow in image above).

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  Step 18

  Hammer only the “crook” end, leaving the straight wire tail unhammered.

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  Step 19

  Thread a bead onto the straight wire up to the base of the crook and the edge of the hammered 
wire section. Make a loop at the other side of the bead using round-nosed pliers.

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  Step 20

  Make a closed wrap loop (see page 21). Pass the wire tail over and around the bead to wrap the wire tail at the base of the hook end a few times, leaving a 5⁄8–13⁄16in (15–20mm) wire tail.

  NOTE: The wrap around the bead may cause the bead to travel up the hook end a little. Hold the bead in place as you make this wrap; once you have a few coils around the base of the hook the bead will be held in place.

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  Step 21

  Curl the wire tail and press into place over the base of the hook end.

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  Step 22

  Your clasp is now finished. You can join it to the rest of your necklace with a few jumprings or by slipping it onto a necklace link before you wrap and close the loop.

  Tip
  If the wire is difficult to thread through spaces, use your pliers to help grab the wire. Trim the tip if it looks ragged to make it thread through more easily.

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