Focal Bead Pendant in 10 Minutes or Less

Many, many years ago I ran across this little technique buried in the back of a craft magazine. I thought it was a wonderful technique, and thought it deserved more attention. I looked thoroughly to see if there was an author (stealing other’s work is bad Karma), and couldn’t find one. I also have never seen it shown again – so I created this short little tutorial to keep this technique alive. – I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. This is a fun little project that takes only 5, 10 minutes at the most, and you have a wonderful pendant ready to go….

Materials suggested:

An awesome focal bead you’ve been dying to use.

Accent beads of your choice.

A length of heavy gauge ½ round wire twice the length of your focal and accent beads, plus 2”. Use the heaviest wire that will fit through your beads when it’s doubled. Round andsquare will also work in a pinch.

Tools needed:

large round nose pliers or round mandrel or round wooden dowel

Step 1

Using a wire mandrel, large round nose pliers or something similar, fold the wire at the midpoint around your mandrel. The size of the loop should be in proportion to the size of the bead or at least big enough to accommodate the chain you have in mind to wear it on.

Step 2

Close the wire around your mandrel, so the 2 sides meet, and look something like the picture.

Step 3

‘Thread’ your beadsonto the folded wire in the order you want so the “eye” is at the top.

Step 4

Push the beads up tight to the ‘eye’ and spread the bottom wires as shown in the photo.

Step 5

Trim the wires, and using round nose pliers, form loops in the ends

I prefer to form a ‘heart’ shape of sorts in my ends, but you can vary the look to your personal tastes.

Step 6

I also ‘twist’the wires slightly so the loops I formed are perpendicular to the ‘bail’. To do this – grab the bail in 1 pair of pliers, and the loops in another pair and turn slightly until they line up the way you like.

TaDa :)

Your finished pendant!This design allows the bead to swivel, so all sides are visible when worn.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial.
You may use this design to make jewelry for sale ~ If you do, please link back to www:Imaginations-Jewelry.com or My Wired Imagination.blogspot.com
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at custservice@imaginations-jewelry.com

© 2009 Bobbi Maw ~http://MyWiredImagination.etsy.com
http://Imaginations-Jewelry.com
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