DIY Network

Vintage Chandelier Necklace From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-413

A chandelier piece finds new life as the focal point of a new jewelry creation.

Guest Melinda Farrell uses an antique chandelier finding to create a pendant.

Materials:

Vintage elements for center pendant (here a vintage chandelier piece is used)
Semi-precious stones in a variety of colors and cuts
Sterling silver fine gauge wire for (4 sections cut into approximately 9 – 12 inch sections in length)
Soft Flex 24k gold flow wire – fine gauge .014 in. (cut into strand to complete choker-length neckpiece
(2)16" strands of stones for necklace
Modern finding for necklace finish
Sterling silver or gold tube crimp beads
Sterling silver or semi-precious contrasting bead
Wire cutter
Round nose pliers
Fine gauge file

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

1. Wrap the pendant and create your center focal piece. Place gemstone on a 6" arc 24-gauge sterling silver wire to form the basis of your pattern. Twist with the gem arc in your hand twice. Secure to pendent by threading wire through center hole in pendent (figure A).

2. Gather both silver wire strands in your hands and twist twice together to create a seal.

3. Working against the grain of the chandelier piece (or other vintage center pendant), bring the sterling silver wires forward to the opposite sides of the pendant and crisscross in the front to start to form your pattern (much like a spider web).

4. Twist the silver wire in a circle through the back of the pre-existing silver wires to form a circular seal (figure B). Snip off end of silver wire with wire cutters and tuck into circular seal. Sand cut tip with file if necessary.

5. Measure and cut the 24k gold flow wire to desired length. Remember, add an additional 6" to wire length to incorporate crimping and finishing end.

6. Thread the golden flow wire through the center hole of the pendant from front to back so wire is now behind the pendant. Hold both ends of the wire to make sure the pendant is balanced and tie in a fishing knot to hang straight. You can tie a knot behind the pendant with the gold wire to ensure it’s firmly anchored.

7. With the golden wire threaded equally through the pendant to form your necklace – start to thread your roped stones to create the necklace sides (figure C). Once you’ve built both sides of the necklace with beads, you are ready to affix your finding and finish the piece.

8. Affix sterling silver or gold crimp bead to end of last bead of necklace, placing a contrasting stone accent bead after the crimp for a visual twist. You can also take a tiny piece of Balinese sterling silver and place over the crimp bead.

9. Thread the golden wire through the crimp, then through the accent bead and into the loop of your finding. Double-back to make sure the golden wire is over the accent bead (figure D). Tip: When crimping necklace, place it in the arc of someone’s neck so that you are crimping in the shape of the necklace will have the correct tension.

10. Use round nose pliers and crimping twice, finish necklace, threading remaining golden wire back through end beads. Snip to finish. Repeat other side.

GUESTS :

Melinda Farrell
Melinda Designs Jewelry
Phone: 818-752-7220
E-mail: mariposa99@earthlink.net
Website: www.melindadesignsjewelry.com