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Abby Hook's Cirrus Pendant, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap. This lesson teaches you to form a 3-piece frame, which is hammered to add both interest and strength to the wire.

Cirrus Pendant

by Abby Hook
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Coiling, Lashing, Making Spirals
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
This lesson teaches you to form a 3-piece frame, which is hammered to add both interest and strength to the wire. Beads in contrasting colors are added to the frame as well as a wrapped briolette.

I am always looking for shapes and patterns in the things around me, that I can translate into wire. This pendant was inspired by the interesting cloud formations we have been getting recently, so I thought the name 'Cirrus pendant' was very appropriate, the definition of which (according to Wikipedia):
Cirrus clouds generally refer to atmospheric clouds that are characterized by thin, wisp like strands.

Materials

18 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-18D
  • Lesson Quantity: 7.50 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $5.59
  • Gold Club Price: $4.19
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22 Gauge Round Half Hard 1/10 Sterling Silver Filled Wire
H10-22H
  • Lesson Quantity: 14.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $3.56
  • Gold Club Price: $2.67
Out of Stock
28 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-28D
  • Lesson Quantity: 38.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $2.53
  • Gold Club Price: $1.90
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Silver Filled Jump Rings Closed (18ga) 5mm - Pack of 10
S11-19
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.40
  • Gold Club Price: $1.80
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Silver Filled Bright Beads Seamless (H: 0.9mm) 3mm - Pack of 50
S9-10
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.14
  • Gold Club Price: $3.11
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Sterling Silver Beads Bright 2.5mm - Pack of 25
K9-138
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.12
  • Gold Club Price: $1.59
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Sterling Silver Beads Bright 2mm - Pack of 25
K9-139
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.32
  • Gold Club Price: $1.74
Out of Stock
Malachite 4mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-694
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.28
  • Gold Club Price: $10.71
Out of Stock
5mm round bead to matching 12 mm Biolette
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
3mm round bead to matching 12 mm Biolette
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
12mm Biolette to match 5 and 3mm round bead
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

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
Add to Bag
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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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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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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6 1/2 Inch Solid Stainless Steel Ball Peen Hammer
G3-18
  • G3-18
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.97
  • Gold Club Price: $4.48
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Double Horn Anvil
ANV-220.00
  • ANV-220.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.97
  • Gold Club Price: $16.48
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Instructions
Step 1
Cut 3 pieces of 18 gauge wire.
1 measuring 3"
1 measuring 2.5"
1 measuring 2"
Take the shortest wire (2") and form a loop in one end, using the round nose pliers. In the other end, form another loop in the opposite direction to the first, this time continue turning with the pliers for 1 full turn to form a loose spiral. Pull the straight wire away from the spiral slightly, to form a loose s shape.
Abby Hook's Cirrus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, form a spiral
Step 2
Repeat on the 2.5" and 3" pieces of wire, this time turning the spirals for 1 ½ turns (use the flat nose pliers if you struggle with the round nose pliers) forming larger S shapes. Notice how the 3" S has a much longer straight wire than the other two.
Using the anvil and hammer, carefully flatten the three S shapes. Notice how the hammering makes the loops loosen slightly.
Abby Hook's Cirrus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, flatten wire
Step 3
Take the largest S shape. Cut a piece of 28 gauge wire 14" long. Attach it to the S just below the loop by coiling 3 times, leaving a 6" tail. Thread a 4mm stone bead in a contrasting color to the briolette onto the thin wire and coil the frame once to secure. Continue adding beads in this manner until you have attached 6 beads in total. Coil the thick wire 3 times to secure, trim the tail and tuck the end in with the long nose pliers.
Abby Hook's Cirrus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, lash on the beads
Step 4
Thread the wrapped briolette onto the large S by threading onto the loop in the centre of the spiral and round until it sits next to beads. (See wrapped briolette tutorial) Thread the loops on the top of each S onto the 3 closed jump rings with the largest S at the back, then the medium one and last the smallest so that it is on the top. Close the loops with the round nose pliers. Position the 3 S shapes as shown.
Abby Hook's Cirrus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, add the pendant
Step 5
Using the 6" tail of 28 gauge wire, bind the 3 loops together 4 times to secure. Thread a 4mm stone bead in a contrasting colour to the briolette onto the thin wire, thread the wire through the outer spiral on the first S and coil once to secure. Add the following beads in the same way:
1 x 3mm
1 x 2.5mm
1 x 2mm
Coil the frame 3 times to secure, trim and tuck the tail in.
Abby Hook's Cirrus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, lash the beads
Step 6
Cut a piece of 28 gauge wire 20" long. Attach it to the outer loop of the second spiral by coiling 3 times, leaving a 1" tail. Push the coiling to the point where the two spirals meet and bind them together 6 - 8 times so that the edge of the small spiral sits on top of the second one. Coil the outer loop of the spiral 6 - 8 times. Thread a 4mm stone bead (in the same color as the briolette) onto the wire, thread the wire through the outer loop of the second spiral and coil once. Attach 3 more beads in the same order as step 5.
Coil the frame 3 times to secure and trim, trim the 1" tail too and tuck the ends in. Repeat, re-attaching the wire you just trimmed onto the third spiral. This time attach a 5mm stone bead that matches the briolette.
Pro Tip: Notice how the side that was against the anvil is shinier than the side that was hammered. It is the shinier side that we want on the front of the pendant.

Tip 2: Hold your index finger behind the beads to hold them in place at the edge of the thick wire, whilst securing the thin wire in place.

Tip 3: Make matching wrapped briolette earrings for a stunning set.

Abby Hook's Cirrus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Lashing, Wire Lashing, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, lash more beads to the frame

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