Open Heart Pendant
Deceptively simple, this heart pendant can be created for Valentine's Day, an anniversary, or birthday and worn all year long. While you don't need a lot of wire working experience, you'll want neat and tight wraps for a clean look. Antique to make the coils pop out, or leave shiny for a brighter look.
Level: Intermediate
Materials
16g half round wire
26g round wire, dead soft
2-3 6-8mm beads, one seed bead or crimp bead
Flat nosed pliers
Round nosed pliers or stepped pliers
Flush cutters
Cut one section of 16g half round wire 6 inches long. File both ends if necessary so they are smooth. Use a Sharpie marker to mark half-way point (3 inches).
Use the flat nosed pliers as a square and bend the wire at a 45 degree angle, with the flat side of the wire on the inside.
On each end of the wire, use a dowel, ring mandrel or other large round object (pen, marker barrel, etc.,) to form curves for the top of the heart shape. Use the round pliers or stepped pliers to help form the ends into a swirl toward the inside of the heart shape, keeping them loose and round.
Cut a length of 26g wire about 3 feet long. At the point that the wires meet in the center of the top of the heart, begin wrapping, leaving a tail about 1cm long. Continue to wrap both wires until they separate, then wrap along one side of the heart until you reach the 45 degree angle at the bottom.
String beads on the 26g wire at the bottom if desired. Use a seed bead or a crimp as the last bead, and bring the wire back around and through the beads. Carefully wrap the wire 2-3 times around the wire at the base of the beads and clip excess. Use a crimping pliers to secure the finished end if needed.
Wrap the 1cm tail around the interior swirl to finish it. Use a pliers to gently squeeze the end to the swirl if needed.
Finish the pendant by adding a small jump ring and hanging on a ribbon or chain, or you can simply thread the ribbon or chain through the swirls.
