DIY Network

Convertible Pendant Necklace by Nancy Perlman From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-410

Guest jewelry artist/designer Nancy Perlman puts a modern twist on an old design by adding change out pendants to a 1920's necklace.

Materials --

.010 gauge Soft Flex
24-gauge silver wire
Two 3mm/22-gauge sterling soldered jump rings
Two 3mm crimp beads
1 heart-shaped clasp
Assorted 4-6mm glass and crystal beads
One 34mm green aventurine briolette
One 34mm round ceramic tile pendant
One 27x22mm oval glass locket
Printed paper artwork

Tools --

Wire cutters
Flat nose jewelry pliers
Round nose jewelry pliers
Crimping pliers

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

1. Cut a 46" piece of Soft Flex.

2. Cut a piece of Soft Flex 46'" long for a 42" necklace. It is better to have more than not enough. Take one end of the Soft Flex and insert through one crimp bead and one jump ring. Fold the Soft Flex back through the jump ring and crimp bead so that the tail is pointing towards the length of the remaining Soft Flex (figure A). Crimp bead securely closed with crimping pliers. Clip extra tail with wire cutters. If there is still extra tail left on the end you've already secured, simply tuck it into the first bead or two to ensure a clean end.

3. String beads in desired pattern, until 42" of the Soft Flex have been beaded (figure B).

   Tip: It is best to lay out your pattern before you begin so that you know where you are headed and to make sure you have enough supplies.

   Note: Since the intention is to wear this necklace not only full length, but also doubled and tripled, you may want to customize the length of the necklace to ensure that it properly fits your neck.

4. As you did in step two, secure the end of the necklace with a jump ring and crimp bead.

5. Attach heart clasp to both ends of the necklace. The clasp should hang evenly between the two jump rings. Your necklace is now ready to be adorned with pendants!

6. The first pendant is a briolette which requires wire wrapping. Cut a 6" piece of wire -- more is always better than less when wrapping. Holes drilled into briolettes vary from top to bottom, front to back, and side to side. The briolette used in this demonstration has a hole drilled front to back. Insert one end of the wire through the hole in the briolette and snugly fold the two ends of the wire upwards, against the briolette, so they are pointed straight up. Take one end of the wire and bend to a 90-degree angle, and wrap three times around the wire that remains straight up. You can just use your hand to keep the straight wire in place, or you may want to use the flat nose pliers. Cut the end of the wrapped wire and gently flatten the cut end for a neat finish.

7. Slide one bead and slip it onto the wire. With the round nose pliers, grasp the wire slightly above the bead and bend the wire around the pliers until a loop is formed (figure C). Straighten the loop so it is vertical and wrap the wire three times below the loop so it ends flush with the top of the bead. Cut the tail and gently flatten to finish.

8. The second pendant is a two-sided glass locket. Cut two pieces of the printed artwork to size for the locket. Insert into the locket and close. The third pendant does not require any customization -- it's already framed and has a soldered ring (figure D).

9. Select a pendant and clasp onto the heart. Wear the necklace full length, doubled or wrapped three times to create a choker. You can also wear as a bracelet, sans pendant.

RESOURCES :

Tools and Silver
Rio Grande
Website: www.riogrande.com

Note: If you don't live near the ocean, you can buy tumbled glass at many landscape supply stores and often on E-bay.

Pendants and Beads
Ritual Adornments
2708 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310-452-4044
Website: www.ritualadornments.com

GUESTS :

Nancy Perlman
Designer
Praise Daisy
Email: nperlman@praisedaisy.com
Website: www.praisedaisy.com