Another link in the chain

At least five years ago, I took a one-off course in wire wrapping. This is a technique used in jewelry making to make wire loops that are finished in a secure and decorative way: by wrapping one end of the wire around the other. I began a necklace with copper-colored wire and some metallic beads.

cube necklace materials

I decided to finish the necklace after all this time to discover that not only did I not remember how to make the wrapped loops, I didn’t remember what the technique was even called. I tried a few practice loops and they really didn’t come out. Fortunately for me, its name is straightforward. I found wonderful instructions on Fusion Beads, from a whole index of wire beading techniques. I had been doing it almost right, with two exceptions: I hadn’t been leaving a long enough “tail” of wire to wrap with, and I had missed the movement of the pliers from under the loop to inside it (step 3 in the instructions linked above). Not long after reading those instructions, I had this:

cube necklace finished

I made up the hook and eye closure since I didn’t have any copper-colored findings. My motivation to start was really just to check it off the list, but I rather like it. I’ll put it with the rest of my underused necklaces!

Self-fastener necklace

Once upon a time (high school, and to some extent college) my main craft was beading. Now that I rarely wear jewelry and have plenty of beloved pieces for the occasions on which I do, there is less pull to it, though I have been known to use beading to accent crafts in other media. I’d like to start sharing my beading patterns gradually; I was pleased to discover I was substantially more obsessive in writing notes at the time than I am now!

straw/brown necklace

I love the colors of this necklace and still have it, despite the fact that it doesn’t really coordinate with anything in my wardrobe. I was experimenting with beaded closures at the time. This is approximately 19 inches long.

Materials:
at least 45″ beading thread
appx 2 grams rocaille beads, background color (dark coppery brown in sample)
9 8mm facet beads, color A (rusty brown in sample)
3 8mm facet beads, color B (straw gold in sample)
4 6mm facet beads, color A
9 6mm facet beads, color B

To make loop of closure, string 20 rocaille beads and feed thread through them a second time so they form a loop, centered on the thread, with both ends of thread emerging between the same two beads. String the rest of the necklace on both strands, as follows:
3 7/8″ (9.9cm) rocailles
*8mm color A, rocaille, 6mm color B, 3 rocailles*, repeat *…* for a total of four pairs of facet beads
22 rocailles (in addition to the final 3 above)
*6mm color A, rocaille, 8mm color B, rocaille*, repeat *…* for a total of three pairs of facet beads
6mm color A
25 rocailles
*6mm color B, rocaille, 8mm color A, 3 rocailles*, repeat *…* for a total of three pairs of facet beads
add rocailles so with the final 3 above the line measures 3 7/8″ (9.9cm)

With a single strand, string 6mm color B, rocaille, 8mm color A, rocaille. Skipping final rocaille, thread back through previous three beads to meet unused strand. Knot together and run back through final rocaille line. Trim.