https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/solid-heart-pendant • Posted by Search Press
As a teacher of wirework jewellery, I know that hearts are one of the most popular motifs. This scrunched heart design is a bold fashion statement and can also look beautiful created as a decoration, suspended from a ribbon.
As a teacher of wirework jewellery, I know that hearts are one of the most popular motifs. This scrunched heart design is a bold fashion statement and can also look beautiful created as a decoration, suspended from a ribbon.
You need to create two different-sized heart frames. Cut (8in) of the 0.4mm wire for the inner one and 25.5cm (10in) for the outer. Find the centre of each wire and fold it, pinching at the centre point with your flat-nosed pliers.
Use the circular mandrels to create the heart curves; the smaller one for the shorter wire. Bring the wire round the mandrel twice to create the two lobes of the heart.
Bring the ends of the wire together and twist them to secure them, creating the point of the frame. Do not cut the wire off yet.
Place the smaller heart within the larger frame and use the projecting wire to secure the two together. Again, leave some wire projecting.
Cut an arm’s length of 0.4mm gold wire and use this to bind the frames together in a free-style fashion.
Cut two further long lengths of 0.8mm gold and silver wire and wrap each one, starting with the gold, around the frame, covering as many gaps as possible. If the wires protrude or look messy, gently tweak or twist them on the frame using the tips of your chain-nosed pliers to tighten them.
Place the wire-wrapped heart on your steel block and begin hammering and compressing all the wires together. Increase the blows as you go.
Thread a 6mm bead on the projecting wire at the point of the heart and create a headpin to hold it in place.
Suspend the heart from two jump rings, one on each side of the frame, pushing the rings through gaps in the binding. Attach a ready-made chain and add a fish-hook clasp. The finished Solid Heart.