Jennifer VanBenschoten's Sacred Spiral Pendant, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing. The sacred spiral is a symbol that is almost as old as humanity itself.
Sacred Spiral Pendant
by Jennifer VanBenschoten
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Hole Punching, Making Spirals, Oxidizing / Antiquing
  • Skill Level: Beginner
The sacred spiral is a symbol that is almost as old as humanity itself. In certain spiritual traditions, the spiral reminds us that as we move through life, we are brought back again and again to learn the lessons that keep us on our soul's path. Make this rustic, organic copper spiral out of copper wire and add a few wire wrapped briolette dangles (or not). It's a great way to learn how to hammer copper wire and use a metal hole punch.

Materials

16 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-16D
  • Lesson Quantity: 6.00 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: 2.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $1.11
  • Gold Club Price: $0.83
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6mm 18g copper jump ring
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
3mm gemstone briolettes
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

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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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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Premium Steel Bench Block 2 1/2 X 2 1/2
G17-9
  • G17-9
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.98
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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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Euro Tool Metal Hole Punch Pliers, 1.8 Millimeters
PLR-133.50
  • PLR-133.50
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.98
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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Instructions
Step 1
Trim the ends of the wire flat using the flush cutters. Using the round nose pliers, make a small bend at one end of the wire. Then, using a combination of your fingers and the fat inside of the round nose pliers, start to spiral the wire around. Make sure there is plenty of space in between the spirals.
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Sacred Spiral Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, make an open spiral
Step 2
Complete the spiral, forming it to your liking.
Place the spiral on the steel bench block and begin to hammer. Pay attention to how the copper behaves under the hammer. You want to hammer the entire spiral flat enough so that you can poke a hole in it without splitting the wire.
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Sacred Spiral Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, complete the spiral
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Sacred Spiral Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, hammer the spiral flat
Step 3
When you’re reasonably happy with the shape and texture of your spiral, use the hole punch to make a small hole in the top of the spiral. Make sure that the hole is in the center of the flattened wire and not too close to the edge.
Open the jump ring and slip it into the hole, then close it.
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Sacred Spiral Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, punch a hole in the end of the spiral
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Sacred Spiral Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, add a jump ring
Step 4
You can leave the spiral pendant just like this, or use the hole punch and make 3 holes in the bottom of the spiral. Make sure they are in the center of the spiral and not too close to the edge of the wire. Using about 6” of 24 gauge copper wire, make a wire wrapped loop (as messy and “organic” as you like) and attach one gemstone briolette into each hole.
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Sacred Spiral Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, add briolettes
Step 5
Oxidize the entire piece with liver of sulfur. Dry it and polish the high spots. Raw copper always looks richer with an oxidized finish. Add a chain or cord of your choice.
Jennifer VanBenschoten's Sacred Spiral Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, oxidize