Rainy Days are Beautiful Necklace

I learned to make this necklace in a class at Ladybug Beads in St. Louis.  We used a 6-step bail making pliers to make the different sized loops.  The loops go over and under each other, and there are 5 different sizes of loops.  We didn't use the smallest post of the pliers.

                                                      Rainy Days are Beautiful Necklace

We used 16 gauge silver-plated craft wire for the loops, and 24 gauge silver plated (Artistic Wire)  to attach the beads, which are small crystals. I used about 7" of chain on each side of the center, and the clasp is a lobster claw and jump ring.  The 5 crystal dangles are attached onto short segments of chain with wire wrapped loops and jump rings at the top.

Shawl Pins

Making shawl pins with wire is a lot of fun.  These are my first tries.  I had only 20 gauge wire to work with, and they are quite fragile, so next time I would try making them with thicker wire.  One problem is that the beads I like may not fit on much thicker wire. 

                                                Shawl Pin using 20 gauge wire and beads

I used a pen to shape the coil end of the pin, and I did 2 wraps.  I didn't sharpen the end with a file because the pin is meant for a loosely woven, knitted, or crocheted shawl. 

This was my first try at making a pin.  It turned out small, so I didn't have much room to add beads to it. 

Two good tutorials are these:
Fibula--Shawl pins--step by step by Deborah Read
Safety pin Style Shawl pin by Shala Kerrigan at Bella Online

Herringbone Wire Wrapped Bracelets

Last year at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, I learned to wire wrap gemstones using a herringbone wrap.  We used oval gemstones for our bracelet and connected them with small beads using wrapped loops on each end.  The oval gemstones are pretty long, so it can be difficult to wear as a bracelet unless you press them into a curved shape.  The original bracelet pattern had 4 gemstones, but I had to take one out to make the bracelet shorter.

                                                   Oval Gemstone Herringbone Bracelet

Next I tried wire wrapping 12 mm round beads.  They turned out so pretty, but again, it can be difficult to wear as a bracelet since the links are fairly long.  I used size 22 gauge wire for the herringbone wrap.

                                     12 mm Beads Wrapped with Herringbone Wrap, Bracelet

 The beads have a wire wrapped core base, which is one method for doing a herringbone wrap.  You simply take a long piece of wire--about 2 feet, and make a wire wrapped loop on one end.  But, wrap about 9 times or so.  Place your bead onto your wire, and make a wire wrapped loop on the other side, also wrapping 9 times, or 10 times (to allow a little extra room for the wire end when finishing).  Then start your herringbone wrap.  These beads have 4 herringbone wraps.  The wrapped core wire makes a sturdy base for the herringbone wrapped beads.

                                 12 mm Beads Wrapped with Herringbone Wrap, 22 gauge wire

This bracelet has 8 mm beads wrapped with herringbone wrap, and I like it the best.  It fits the wrist well.  I made my own clasp. I used 3 wraps for the herringbone.  These beads have a heavier wire core (20 gauge) and 22 gauge wire for the wraps.  There's a very good video by Yvonne Williams on You Tube on how to do this kind of herringbone wrap.

                                          8 mm Beads Wrapped with Herringbone Wrap

                                                   Herringbone Bracelet, 8 mm Beads

                                                                           Handmade Clasp
Notes for 8 mm beaded herringbone bracelet: 8 mm beads.  12" 22 gauge wire, 3" 20 gauge wire.  Make tiny loop and start curve.  Place bead on thicker wire in the center and place loop on top of bead.  Wire wrap 3 times.  Take wire around 1 or 2 more times to end.  Clip so it ends at back and tuck with bent nose pliers.  Bend each wire end in opposite directions 90 degrees.  For simple loom, cut to about 3/8" and use round nose about 1/8" inch in with wire at edge of teeth.  Turn away from you, re-positioning pliers as needed to close loop.  You need one horizontal loop and one vertical loop to attach them.  Make one loop larger to allow room for clasp.  Clasp--made it with wire and added a bead on it and attached to end with a wrapped loop.  Bracelet 8", 6 herringbone wrapped beads and one bead with clasp.