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Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. I've seen a number of bird's nest jewelry designs, but they're usually a little light for my taste.

Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings

by Rhonda Chase
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
I've seen a number of bird's nest jewelry designs, but they're usually a little light for my taste. My design is very sturdy and has a good weight. Like a real bird's nest, they should be messy and organic. This means that these little nests are always unique. They can be customized with different metals and different "eggs" for a variety of looks. And they make beautiful gifts, especially for moms.

Materials

6x4mm Peach Freshwater Rice Pearls - 16 Inch Strand
A8-16
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $6.60
  • Gold Club Price: $4.95
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22 Gauge Square Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-22SQD
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $12.86
  • Gold Club Price: $9.64
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24 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-24D
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $6.22
  • Gold Club Price: $4.66
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4x3mm Peach Freshwater Rice Pearls 16 Inch Strand
A8-29
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.70
  • Gold Club Price: $4.28
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Silver Filled Earwire w/ 3mm Ball & Coil 20mm - Pack of 10
S19-26
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $3.42
  • Gold Club Price: $2.57
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Tools

3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister (Cordless Screwdriver)
G5-15
  • G5-15
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $42.97
  • Gold Club Price: $32.23
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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Instructions
Step 1
Twist the square wire with a drill or electric wire twister and set aside. Here are a few simple instructions for twisting your wire:
a) Open the jaws.
b) Set an end of the wire the gap and close the jaws, trapping the wire. Make it tight.
c) Hold the other end of the wire with flat pliers with one hand and hold the twister with the other hand.
d) Start the drill at a slow speed and gradually increase. Any speed is fine as long as everything seems tight and under control. I like to go just slow enough to see the wire twisting so I can check for spots that are getting overly twisty.
e) Stop when you like the look and remove your twisted, straightened wire.
Step 2
String 2 or 3 medium pearls on 9" of round wire and form a circle about 2/3 of the way down the wire. Twist the wire gently a couple of times with your fingers (too tight and you may break the wire) to secure. Leave ends free and set aside. This is the egg cluster.
Step 3
Using flat nosed pliers, LOOSELY spiral the square twisted wire until the spiral is wider than the egg cluster. You must leave gaps in the spiral to pull the binding wire through later.
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 4
Affix the egg cluster to the center of the spiral with the round wire ends. Don't worry about careful centering or being neat, that comes later. Start using the round wire ends to bind the twisted spirals together. I usually do this in a haphazard way perpendicular to the twisted spiral wires.
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 5
When the egg cluster feels secure, wind more of the twisted wire up and around the eggs into a nest shape. It's easiest to do this with your fingers. The height and thickness is up to you. Leave gaps. Again, don't be neat.
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 6
Bind nest together with more round wire, moving in and out through gaps. You can adjust the egg cluster position at this point, if you need to. The weaving will lock it into place.

Your nest will get tighter and it will be more difficult to pull the 24gauge wire through. Use chain nose pliers to help you. Take care not to scratch the pearls. Cut more round wire for binding if you need.

You can pull the wires as tight as you want now and guide the wires into a nest shape that you like. The nest should be fairly dense. Most of the gaps will be filled in.
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 7
Look at your nest and decide where you want the top. When you have the orientation, pull out a loop of twisted wire with round nosed pliers and gently shape the loop into a half circle. You can keep weaving and binding until you can't weave anymore or stop when you feel your nest is done.
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 8
End your weaving with the wire ends facing up and cut them short, about 5 to 6mm. Use chain nose pliers to bend the ends over and tuck them securely into the nest.
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 9
Compress and shape the nest by gently squeezing with chain nose and round nose pliers, but be careful to avoid the pearls. Tighten any loose wires.
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 10
Add findings to the wire loops from step 8.
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 11
Optional: Patina, buff and polish. Adding a patina will really bring out the detail of the weaving and show off your wire work.
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Rhonda Chase's Bird's Nest Pendant and Matching Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,

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