Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. The Lotus flower is a symbol of purity and spiritual enlightenment.

Lotus Pendant

by Natalie Patten
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Beginner
The Lotus flower is a symbol of purity and spiritual enlightenment. This simple technique will show you how to shape uniform, consistent petals in one easy step to create your own pretty pendant.

Materials

26 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-26D
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $2.56
  • Gold Club Price: $1.92
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20 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-20D
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $10.75
  • Gold Club Price: $8.06
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Beads - one of your choice
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Chain of your choice
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Tools

Acculoop Precision Round Nose
PLR-741.00
  • PLR-741.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.23
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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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Economy Flush Cutters - 5 Inches Long
G2-59
  • G2-59
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.97
  • Gold Club Price: $3.73
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Premium Nylon Jaw Pliers
G2-35
  • G2-35
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
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WireJewelry - Essentials Jewelry Pliers Set with Case, Set of 5
G15-21
  • G15-21
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $124.95
  • Gold Club Price: $93.71
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WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Stainless Steel Ring Mandrel Sizes 1-15
G7-2
  • G7-2
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
Out of Stock
4x4 Inch Rubber Block
G17-12
  • G17-12
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.95
  • Gold Club Price: $6.71
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4oz Ball Peen Hammer with Wooden Handle
G3-36
  • G3-36
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.95
  • Gold Club Price: $4.46
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Instructions
Step 1
Straighten the 20 gauge wire from the reel.

Measure 1.5 inches from the end tail.

Create a right-angle bend at that point.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Straighten wire and measure
Step 2
Position the bend against the mandrel.

Mandrel size determines petal size.

Use a size 6 wooden ring mandrel, marker pen, or any cylindrical object.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Position bend
Step 3
Wrap the wire 5 times around the mandrel.

Keep the wires close together.

If they splay out, push them back together.

Ensure no overlap and position closely next to each other.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Wrap wire 5 times
Step 4
Complete the fifth wrap.

Create a sharp bend in the reel-attached wire.

Direct it up toward the starting tail.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Create a bend
Step 5
Trim off the reel leaving a length of approximately two inches.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Trim off reel
Step 6
Leave a tail end of 26 gauge wire.

Wrap it around the two lengths of 20 gauge wire.

Bind them together securely.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Leave a tail
Step 7
Take the bound circular loops off the mandrel.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Remove from mandrel
Step 8
Take one tail end of the 26 gauge wire.

Wrap it through the loop next to the vertical 20 gauge wires.

This fixes the looped circles in place.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wrap one tail through loop
Step 9
Do the same with the other tail wire on the opposite side.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, repeat
Step 10
Cut off the tail ends on the underneath of the circles.

Position the 26 gauge wire to finish on the inside.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, cut so that wire finishes on inside
Step 11
Use pliers to flatten down the 26 gauge wraps and secure them into the circle frame.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Flatten and secure
Step 12
Use chain nose pliers to shape all circles at once into "petals."

Position pliers slightly off center.

Apply pressure to form a pointed tip at the bottom of each circle.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Create petals
Step 13
Bending inwards on one side will transform the circles of wire into a petal shape.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Create petal shape
Step 14
Apply this pressure on both sides of the circles to create a tapered point.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Apply pressure on both sides
Step 15
As they have been formed together as one, each petal will be uniform in shape and size.

Adjust as necessary to achieve your desired petal shape.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adjust as necessary
Step 16
Once you are happy with the shape, gently pry the petals apart and separate into an outward fan shape to splay them out.

Gently pull them apart so that there is one petal in the middle and two either side.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Pry petals apart
Step 17
Harden the petals if required.

Hammer the outside of the lotus frame and petal tips on a block.

Avoid hammering where wires cross.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Hammer outside of petals
Step 18
Bend the one and a half inch tail of 20 gauge wire forward.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Bend wire
Step 19
Position the bead onto the other vertical wire.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Position bead
Step 20
Using round nose pliers or 6 step barrel pliers, create a wrapped loop that sits on the top of the bead by bending over the top of the pliers.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Create a loop
Step 21
Form the wrapped loop.

Wrap the 20 gauge wire around the jaws of round nose pliers.

Consider loop size and direction for chain fit and correct pendant hang
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Create the loop and adjust as needed
Step 22
Wrap the wire three times around the neck of the loop to fill the space above the bead.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Wrap wire around loop
Step 23
Cut off any excess wire from the wrapped loop.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, cut excess wire
Step 24
Tuck in the wire to prevent any sharp ends from catching and snagging.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Tuck wire
Step 25
Create a spiral with the other length of 20 gauge wire that is facing forward using the round nose pliers
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Create spiral
Step 26
Start forming the curl.

Trim less than a millimeter off the starting curl to remove the straight tip.

Continue shaping into a full curl that touches itself.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Trim
Step 27
Cover the top of the curl with chain nose pliers.

Continue shaping the curl to spiral outwards.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Make curl spiral outwards
Step 28
Curl the spiral all the way up until it touches the bead.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Curl spiral
Step 29
Position your spiral in place underneath the bead.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Position spiral under bead
Step 30
Your pendant can now be made into a necklace by putting a chain through the wrapped loop.
Natalie Patten's Lotus Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Add chain