Webbed Heart Necklace

Skill Level: Intermediate

Technique: Involved Components

This necklace design was created to use with a 25mm heart drilled horizontally. It incorporates some weaving of the wire, the use of wrapped loops to connect chain and the attachment of a closure to the chain. With a little imagination, other components such as beads or head pin attachments can be added for different looks (as shown in the finished photo).

Materials

• 1 30″ length of 22 gauge square half hard wire
• 1 60″ length of 20 gauge round half hard wire
• 1 25mm heart ( Handmade Venetian Glass Beads)
• 1 18″ piece of chain
• 1 clasp combination of choice
• Additional Beads: Swarovski Crystals

Tools

• Flat Nose Pliers
• Round Nose Pliers
• Chain Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Ruler
• Pin Vise
• Extra Fine Point Marker
• Quilter’s or Painter’s tape
• Knife with dull blade

Instructions

1. Straighten and then cut the 22-gauge square wire into the following lengths: two pieces each 7″, and two pieces each 3″ long. Also cut one piece 6″ long of 20-gauge half round half hard wire. Bundle the three 7″ wires and tape the ends. Measure and mark the center and then mark ¼” on each side of the center.
2. From each of the side-of-center marks made, use the 6″ piece of 20-gauge half round to wrap 4 times to show, working away from the center and trim.
   
3. Remove the tape and thread the 25mm heart bead onto the wire bundle, between the wraps.
   
4. Using a dull knife or blade to separate the wires at the wraps, bending each wire upward. Repeat on the opposite side.
5. Use a pin vise to individually twist each of the two inside or center, wires on each side of the heart. Weave these wires together and tape the end wires together on each side. Shape wires so they will cross above the center of the heart.
   
6. Bend the outside wire upwards, to lie over the top wire. Trim this outside wire to 3/16-inch longer than where it crosses over the top wire. At this 3/16-inch end, use chain-nose and then flat nose pliers to form and then attach a small loop to the top wire. Repeat on the other side.
7. Remove the tape on the extended wires on left and right of the heart and trim them evenly. From the end on the top wire, mark ¼”. Place round nose pliers on the mark, and make a loop upward and around. Rotate pliers backward to keyhole the loop. Repeat on the other side.
8. Measure and cut two 8″ pieces of chain.
9. Insert one end of a chain length into a loop. Use 22-gauge square to wrap the loop and the extended wire together, 4 times to show, working from the bottom of the loop down. Trim the wire ends evenly or rosette and place on top of the bindings. Repeat procedure on the other side.
10. Attach a closure to the end of the chains to complete the necklace.