DIY Network

Oxidized Earrings by Wendy Woodhall From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-407

Guest jewelry artist Wendy Woodhall shares an easy way to give your jewelry an antique look.

Materials --

Sterling silver chain (design of your choice)
24-gauge sterling silver wire (dead soft or half hard)
Swarovski Austrian crystals
2 split rings
1 lobster claw or spring ring clasp
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Chain noise pliers
Oxidizing supplies -- Griffith silver/black oxidizing liquid, plastic cup, chopsticks or plastic fork, latex gloves, running water (not from a metal sink)

Note: Oxidizing is a process that occurs to metal when it is exposed to oxygen. Over time it blackens and gets an antique look.

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Making the Crystal Drop Pendant

1. Start with a sterling silver chain and find the center.

2. Cut a 2-1/2" piece of 24-gauge sterling silver wire.

3. Rest the wire on your forefinger and using your round noise pliers bend one end (about 1/2" from the end) upwards to make a 45-degree angle.

4. Slide a crystal teardrop onto the long part of the bent wire and bend the wire on the other side of the crystal so that a triangle is created above the crystal.

5. Using your chain nose pliers place them where the wire intersects in an "X" at the top of the triangle (figure A), and using your round nose pliers in the other hand, wrap the shorter side of the wire around the longer one three times. Clip the excess off and using your chain noise pliers, tuck the cut part so it is flush and not sticking out.

6. String one or two matching four millimeter bicone matching crystals with or without spacer beads onto the wire (figure B).

7. Place your round nose pliers 1/3" above the crystals and bend the wire into a loop (figure C).

8. Slip the tail of the loop through the middle link of the sterling silver chain.

9. Wrap the loop tail around the wire three times as done above and snip and tuck the excess.

10. Now you have a crystal drop pendant necklace.

Figure D

Attaching Clasps and Embellishing Chain

1. To attach the clasps and embellish the chain, cut a 2" piece of sterling silver wire create a loop about 1" from the end.

2. String the tail of this loop through the last link of your chain and wrap the wire three times as done above.

3. String one or two matching bicone crystals with or without spacer beads onto the wire and make the same loop on the other side.

4. Thread the tail of this loop through a clasp (lobster claw or spring ring) and wrap three times, cut and tuck as above.

5. Do the same thing to the other end of the necklace but attach a split ring for the clasp to hook onto.

6. This same technique can be done throughout the chain to connect chain links together to add embellishment (figure D).

Figure E

Oxidizing the Necklace (Optional)

Safety Caution: Silver Black is an oxidizing agent that contains Hydrocloric Acid which is a poisonous chemical. You should work in a well-ventilated area, wear latex gloves, and eye protective goggles. Do not use in a metal sink or with metal utensils. You must follow the manufacturer's instructions. Do not allow the liquid to come in contact with your skin.

1. In a plastic bowl or cup, pour a small amount of liquid and dribble a couple drops of water into the cup. The ratio is one part water and four parts solution. You can experiment and see what works best.

2. Place necklace into the cup and move it around with a plastic fork (figure E) or a pair of chopsticks for five to ten seconds. As soon as you put the necklace into the water, it will turn black.

3. Using fork or chopsticks, take necklace out and rinse thoroughly under running water.

4. Use a towel to dry off the necklace and your piece is complete.

RESOURCES :

Sterling Silver Chain #1431 and Findings
Kamal Trading Co., Inc.
Toll-free: 800-260-0567
Phone: 714-236-0567

GUESTS :

Wendy Woodhall
Owner/Designer
Wendy Woodhall Originals
PO Box 34651
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: 310-473-4631
Email: wdsw@adelphia.net