Romantic Ribbon Wire and Necklace Pendant
I love the looks of a ribbon necklace, and found this terrific, gauzy and shimmery ribbon on sale recently. It is a perfect accent for some vintage glass beads I also picked up and sterling wire. Make a center pendant like the one shown, or use a fabulous focal art bead.
Level: Medium
Materials (Pendant)
22g twisted wire
16g sterling wire
Vintage glass beads (4) with medium to large hole
Bali spacer beads (6)
Materials (Necklace)
1/2" ribbon in coordinating colors that complement focal bead or pendant
Focal bead or wire and bead pendant
22g sterling wire
Coordinating beads
2" sterling head pins (2)
Lobster clasp (optional)
Pendant
Make three wire beads using 22g twisted wire. Make beads by winding wire around a small mandrel until the bead is desired length. My beads are 1/2" long each. Without removing 16g wire from spool, string one Vintage bead, one Bali bead, one twisted wire bead and one Bali bead. Repeat two times, and end the pattern with the last Vintage bead. Create a closed loop at the end of the wire. Cut wire from spool approximately 5cm from first bead, and create a closed loop at that end as well. Bend the beaded length of wire into desired shape (mine is a "U" shape).
Necklace
Cut three lengths of ribbon 24" long. Use a Big Eye Bead (from Beadalon) to thread all three the ribbons through the focal bead or closed loops of the pendant. Center pendant or focal bead on the ribbons.
Create two 1/2" long wire beads on mandrel. Thread one end of ribbon through one wire bead, repeat on other end of ribbon. Tie a single overhand knot in each end of the ribbon, trim excess. Add a small dab of glue or no-fray if desired.
Pull ribbon back through wire bead so it is at the end of the ribbon. Gently squeeze first two loops of the wire bead (closest to the pendant or focal bead) around the ribbon, so that it holds the ribbon in place. Gently bend the first loop of the opposite end of the wire bead to a 45 degree angle to create a small closed loop. (You may need to use a pliers to slightly reform the loop so that it is completely closed.) Repeat for other end of ribbon.
Create two dangles from the coordinating beads and head pins. Attach dangles to closed loop at the end of the wire bead on the ribbons. The necklace can now be easily tied around the neck at various lengths. As an option, attach a lobster clasp to one wire bead loop and clasp.
