Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop. I love making my own custom chains, don't you? Using wire to create links has such endless options that are always fun to explore.
Monet's Birdhouse Necklace
by Kristal Wick
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Chain Making, Making Loops
  • Skill Level: Beginner
I love making my own custom chains, don't you? Using wire to create links has such endless options that are always fun to explore. I had this darling birdhouse focal piece I made out of metal clay that has been waiting for a finish. Nothing commercial seemed to work so I decided to make a custom chain. The crystal links pull out the colors of the tiny chatons I embedded in the clay. You could also wear the chain alone without a focal piece.

Materials

Gold Filled Jump Rings Closed (.030) 20ga. 6mm - Pack of 25
J11-183
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.94
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
Out of Stock
16 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-16H
  • Lesson Quantity: 21.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $5.25
  • Gold Club Price: $3.93
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6mm Aquamarine 5328 Bi-Cone Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 10
A13-56B
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.77
  • Gold Club Price: $2.08
Out of Stock
6mm Light Sapphire 5328 Bi-Cone Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 10
A13-129B
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
Out of Stock
Gold Filled Eyepins 24GA 1 inch - Pack of 10
J8-25
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.52
  • Gold Club Price: $2.64
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Tools

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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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1
G17-10
  • G17-10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
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Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face
G3-27
  • G3-27
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Wubbers Small Bail Making Pliers
G2-1301
  • G2-1301
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.95
  • Gold Club Price: $18.71
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20 X 15 Inch Padded Work Mat
MAT-620.00
  • MAT-620.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
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Instructions
Step 1
Be sure to lay out your mat when cutting wire so you don't scratch up your work surface.
Cut 12 pieces of 1" wire and 6 pieces of 1.5" wire using your flush cutters.
Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, claude monet birdhouse necklace
Step 2
Using the Wubber's pliers, wrap the wire end around the smaller bail to complete a loop. Repeat on the other wire end going in the opposite direction. Repeat for all wire pieces.

Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, claude monet birdhouse necklace
Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, claude monet birdhouse necklace
Step 3
Work harden and texture the links with your chasing hammer and bench block. You may need to close up the loops after your hammer them.
Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, claude monet birdhouse necklace
Step 4
Connect 2 small links on either side of a larger link using jump rings to create a trio link.
Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, claude monet birdhouse necklace
Step 5
Create 4 crystal links by slipping a crystal onto an eye pin and making a simple loop at the wire end.
Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, claude monet birdhouse necklace
Step 6
Connect a trio link to each end of a crystal link using jump rings. Make as many links as desired for you're your fave necklace length.
Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, claude monet birdhouse necklace
Step 7
Connect the link chain to your focal piece using a jump ring.
Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, monet's birdhouse necklace
Step 8
Finish off by adding a lobster clasp to one end of the chain and a jump ring to the other end.
Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, claude monet birdhouse necklace
Kristal Wick's Monet's Birdhouse Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, monet's birdhouse necklace