by Deborah Kelly
Now available made-to-order from DCDK.Jewelry
Materials Needed
3 ½ feet of 24 gauge round wire
3 inches of 18 gauge round wire or 2 4mm jump rings
44 4mm or 5mm beads in 2 colors (22 beads of each color)
1 clasp (on this chain I use a 5mm magnetic clasp)
Tools need
Round nose pliers
Flat or Chain nose pliers
Wire cutters
6 step bail making pliers or mandrel 4 or 5 mm round
Instructions
Step 1
Grasp the 24 gauge wire ½ to ¾ inch from the end with the round nose pliers about half way down the pliers.
Note: if working off a spool of wire put a bead on the wire before grasping the wire.
Step 2
Bend the tail of the wire around the round nose pliers
Step 3
Wrap the short tail end of the wire around the other end of the wire one to two times.
Creating a small circle of wire.
Cut off the small tail of the wire as close as possible.
Step 4
Gently take your chain nose pliers and lightly squeeze the end of the wire and twist it around in the direction the wire wraps around.
This will smooth the end of the wire.
Step 5
If the Bead has not been put on the wire put it on now.
Grasp the wire close to the bead near the tips of the round nose pliers.
Bend the wire to a 90 degree angle.
Step 6
Move the round nose pliers into the bend of the wire and wrap the wire around the round nose pliers once.
Wrap the long wire once or twice around the wire going thru the bead between the bead and the loop just made.
Step 7
Cut off wire close to the wraps and smooth with chain or flat nose pliers.
If need be take pliers and adjust the loops at the end so they are facing the same way and are centered coming out of the bead.
Step 8
Make 21 more links the same color as the first one.
Step 9
Make a loop like in step 1 and 2 by grasping the wire with the round nose pliers about ½ to ¾ inch from the end and wrap the wire around one side of the pliers once.
Note- if working off a spool of wire put a contrasting bead on the wire first.
Step 10
Take one of the finished links and slip it onto the loop.
Step 11
Wrap the end of the wire to finish the loop.
It is helpful to hold the loop with a pair of chain nose pliers when wrapping the tail end.
Cut close to the wrap and smooth down with chain or flat nose pliers.
Step 12
Slip the bead on the wire if this has not been done already.
Use round nose pliers to bend the wire at a 90 degree angle, move the pliers into the bend and wrap the wire around the top jaw of the pliers to form another loop.
If working off a spool of wire cut wire ¾ inch from loop.
Step 13
Slip another link onto the wire into the loop.
Take the tail end of the wire and wrap it around the wire between the loop and the bead one to two time.
It is helpful to grasp the loop in a pair of pliers in this step.
Cut the wire close to where it is wrapped and smooth with pliers.
Step 14
Now there is three links combined together like in the picture.
Step 15
Continue adding links on the chain which was started following steps 9 thru 13 until all the beads are used up or the chain is as long as desired.
If ending on a contrasting bead color end loop like the second loop on the links made in the beginning.
If chain is too short just make a few more links and add them on.
Step 16
-Use the short bit of wire to make a couple jump rings on the 2nd step of the 6 step bail making pliers but wrapping the wire around it 3 or 4 times.
– Slide the coil off the bail making pliers and cut up one side to make jump rings.
– Skip this step if two jump rings are available.
Step 17
– Use the 2 jump rings to attach the clasp to the chain.
-The chain is now finished.
-Put your favorite pendant on it or wear it as is.
