Netted Bezel for a Cabochon

by Deborah Kelly

Category: Weaving
Technique(s): Weaving
Skill Level: Intermediate

Here's an unusual way to bezel a beautiful cabochon. Learn weaving and netting in one project!

Materials

14 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire

H11-14D

Lesson Quantity: 9.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $1.83
Gold Club Price: $1.37

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16 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire

H11-16D

Lesson Quantity: 9.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $1.13
Gold Club Price: $0.84

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24 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire

H11-24D

Lesson Quantity: 6.00 feet
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 10FT
Price: $1.78
Gold Club Price: $1.33

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30x22MM Assorted Oval Cabochon Mix PK20

E1-367

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $26.00
Gold Club Price: $19.50

Out of Stock

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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

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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 Bail Making Pliers

G2-18

G2-18
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.78
Gold Club Price: $9.58

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Instructions

Step 1

Shape the large gauge wire around the back of the cab, start at the bottom of the cab with the middle of the wire, making it slightly smaller then cab.
This works for cabs of all shapes and creates a nice back to hold the stone.

Deborah Kelly's Netted Bezel for a Cabochon - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, netted cabochon

Step 2

Wrap the 26-gauge weaving wire around the 18-gauge on one side of where the wire comes together, at what will be the top of the cab.
This is the start of the bail.

Step 3

Cross between the two bail wires and wrap 2 times around the opposite wire.

Step 4

Bend the two bail wires to form a V to make a nice widening of the bail as you weave up it. Continue the weave up the bail wires in the cross thru pattern.
If the bail gets about ¼ inch wide bend the base wires parallel to each other to maintain the width of the bail. Weave bail about 1 ¼ inches long.

Step 5

Once the bail is about 1 ¼ inches long bring the bail wires sharply back, close to each other, then bend the bail wires parallel to each other again.

Step 6

Continue the weave to where the bail wires meet each other. Then wrap the weaving wire around one of the bail wires 3 times.

Step 7

Do a three/two wrap (three times around one base wire then twice around both wires and repeat) a few times. Cut off the weaving wire and smooth with pliers. (Cut any remaining weaving wire tails off and smooth with pliers.)

Step 8

Bend the bail a little to what is going to be the front of your pendant with round nose or bail making pliers.

Step 9

Next bend the bail around the bail making pliers to the back side of the pendant to make the bail.

Any other round object the size you want your bail to be will also work.

Bending the bail to the front and then bending around to the back side of the pendant helps center the bail right above the pendant so it hangs better.

Step 10

Once the bail is the desired shape, take the ends of the bail wires and cut off to just below the bottom of your pendant frame. Curl bail wire ends around and position touching the edge of the frame wire.

Step 11

Take a small bit of weaving wire and secure the ends of the bail wires to the frame. A couple wraps will work.
Start and end your securing wires on the front side of the frame so the back of the cab will cover them.

Step 12

Take the rest of the weaving wire and wrap 3 times around one side of the frame wire by the bail. Wrap so the long end of the weaving wire is next to the bail.

Step 13

Take the weaving wire to the other side of the bail and then thread the weaving wire thru the frame going up from the bottom to the top.

Step 14

As you pull the wire thru a loop is formed. Put the tail end of the weaving wire thru it. The weaving wire should come up thru between where the wire was crossed from one side of the bail to the other.

Step 15

Take the weaving wire through the frame from the back of the frame to the front about 1/8 to ¼ of an inch from where it went around the frame by the bail, making sure to bring the tail of the wire up into the loop created by going thru the frame.

The closer together these loops, the smaller the netting, the further away from each other these loops are the larger the netting is going to be.

Step 16

Continue making loops all the way around the frame wire.

Step 17

When you reach the beginning of your netting put your weaving wire up thru the bottom of the first loop made.

Step 18

Continue the second row of netting, try to put the wire up in the center of the loops. I like doing two rows before putting the stone into place.

Step 19

Once the second row is finished flatten out the netting some and fit the stone into it. Shape the netting up and around the sides of the stone.

Step 20

Continue netting, while making the loops pull towards the cab so the netting goes over the cab.

The smaller or more tapered the sides of the stone cab the less rows need to be done.

Step 21

Continue netting around till the cab is secure. Once it is secure it is time to end the netting. Take the weaving wire and thread it thru on the netting on the previous row right next to one of the loops.

Step 22

Repeat threading the wire thru on the first round of netting done pulling the wire so it lies right next to the netting wire.

Step 23

Wrap weaving wire around frame wire 3 times and cut weaving wire. Smooth down with pliers.

Step 24

Enjoy your new pendant and make some more with different shapes and colors.

Reviews

Deborah Kelly

Deborah got into wire work about 4 years ago and is now a snow bird who spends the winter in Quartzsite, Arizona. She does volunteer work while there and teaches 'Creative Wire Wrap' at the "Quartzsite Roadrunners, Gem & Mineral Club." In the summer she travels the Western US with her family and they make and give away free jewelry with their own private philanthropic endeavor that they call The Free Jewelry Project.