Big Bad Pearl Necklace

by Marilyn Gardiner

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Chain Making, Making Loops
Skill Level: Beginner

The basic chain for this 19″ necklace is a super easy - one ring linked to the next - all the way to the end of the necklace. The real fun starts with using headpins to add a wrapped loop to the pearls and adding them to the basic chain. It's awesome - check out the slang meaning of "bad".

Materials

Jump Rings Sterling Silver 16 gauge AWG, 3.25 mm ID

Lesson Quantity: 136.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Jump Rings Sterling Silver 18 gauge AWG, 3 mm ID

Lesson Quantity: 28.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Jump Ring sterling silver 16 gauge AWG, 4.5 mm ID

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

8.24X15.05mm Silver Finish Brass Lobster Claw - Pack Of 1

LR3-303

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.25
Gold Club Price: $1.69

Add to Bag

8-10mm Large Hole (1.2mm) White Double Shine Fresh Water Pearls - Pack of 20

A8-03

Lesson Quantity: 25.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Price: $18.97
Gold Club Price: $14.23

Out of Stock

Sterling Silver Head Pin (.020) 24GA 2 inch - Pack of 10

K8-18

Lesson Quantity: 28.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 3.00 pieces
Price: $2.88
Gold Club Price: $2.16

Add to Bag

Add All Items to Cart

Tools

Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

Add to Bag

Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

Add to Bag

Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

Add to Bag

C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

Add to Bag

Add All Items to Cart

Instructions

Step 1

We'll start with the 16 gauge 3.25 mm jump rings. You will need an equal number of open rings and closed rings - so open a bunch of rings and close an equal number of rings. See my previous tip on how to open and close jump rings.

Step 2

Pick up an open ring with your pliers, go through the ring at the end of the lobster clasp, and then add one of the closed rings. Close the ring. You will have 2 rings attached to the clasp.

Step 3

Pick up another open ring with your pliers, go through the end ring of your chain, and then add one of the closed rings. Close the ring. You will now have 4 rings attached to the clasp.

Marilyn Gardiner's Big Bad Pearl Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Add jump rings and end ring.

Step 4

Keep repeating until you have used up all the 3.25 mm rings.

Step 5

At the end, add the single 4.5 mm. The chain should be about 19 inches in length. You can shorten/lengthen it later it you find that would suit you better.

Step 6

Wire Wrap the Pearls:

Directions:

Take your round nose pliers and make a mark with a permanent fine-tip marker at a spot for making a small loop that a jump ring will fit through. You could test the loop size with a piece of scrap wire. Take another look at the first photo.

Step 7

Put a pearl on a headpin. With chain nose pliers grab the headpin at the top of the bead. Bend the wire across the top of the pliers to make a sharp bend.

Marilyn Gardiner's Big Bad Pearl Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Add pearl to headpin.

Step 8

Replace the chain nose pliers with your round nose pliers. Hold the pliers at the mark and always keep them parallel to the work surface. The end of the wire points away from you.

Marilyn Gardiner's Big Bad Pearl Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Switch to round nose pliers.

Step 9

Grab the wire with your fingers, lift it up and around the top jaw, and then downwards until it's pointing to the floor.

Marilyn Gardiner's Big Bad Pearl Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Point towards the floor.

Step 10

Pull the pliers out of the loop. Put the lower jaw of the pliers back into the loop at the mark.

Marilyn Gardiner's Big Bad Pearl Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Add pliers to the mark.

Step 11

Grab the wire end with your fingers and swing it under the lower jaw and up until it points away from you (90 degree angle).

Marilyn Gardiner's Big Bad Pearl Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Point wire away at 90 degrees.

Step 12

Swing the wire under the pliers and around the stem to make the first wrap. Continue to wrap the wire around the stem. Make about 3 wraps. Use a pair of chain nose pliers to help make a nice tight wrap.

Marilyn Gardiner's Big Bad Pearl Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Making first wrap.

Step 13

Use wire cutters to cut off the excess wire. Use chain nose pliers to carefully press the tip of the wire in against the stem.

Marilyn Gardiner's Big Bad Pearl Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Cut off excess wire.

Step 14

Wire wrap all 25 pearls.

Step 15

Attach the Pearls to the Chain

You bought 18 gauge 3 mm rings to attach the pearls to the basic chain. Open them now.

Step 16

Fold the chain in half to find the center ring. Pick up an open jump ring, go through that center ring, add a wrapped pearl, and close the jump ring.

Marilyn Gardiner's Big Bad Pearl Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Add wrapped pearl.

Step 17

One-by-one, add one pearl to every second link. (Have another look at the first photo.)

Step 18

Add 12 pearls on one side of that center pearl. Repeat with 12 more pearls on the other side of the center pearl.

Step 19

Make Adjustments

Step 20

Try on your necklace. If you want it shorter, remove the two parts of the clasp, and then remove an equal number of jump rings from each end. Add the clasp parts back on.

Step 21

To make a longer necklace, remove the clasp parts, add an equal number of jump rings to each end, and then replace the clasp. Wear it and enjoy the compliments! Yes, you can wear this with jeans.

Marilyn Gardiner's Big Bad Pearl Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Finished peach variation.

Reviews

Marilyn Gardiner

I am a teacher who worked for many years as a teacher librarian and educational computer consultant. As part of my job I taught teachers and principals how to use computers in the classroom and I developed curriculum modules.I love jewelry, color, pattern, and design. It is thrilling to create something new that others love too. And I truly enjoy breaking down something complex into an easy-to-learn sequence that I can share with others, whether in print or in a classroom.

During the past 10 years I have energetically and enthusiastically developed my beading and chain mail skills and used my teaching background with adults to develop bead work and chain mail kits with step-by-step instructions that really work. I know that the kits have good quality instructions because of the positive feedback from students I teach and from customers who buy the kits at shows and from my online store.I regularly teach classes locally in Toronto ON, as well as occasionally in Mississauga, Barrie, Temple TX and San Antonio TX.I have been a vendor at bead shows in Toronto ON, Guelph ON, Montreal QC, Ottawa ON, Calgary AB, Halifax NS, Milwaukee WI, and Tucson AZ - and I teach a full slate of classes at these shows. My website has details.

In 2007 I was "Folk Artist in Residence - Beadwork" at the Joseph Schneider Haus in Kitchener ON. This involved setting up a series of lectures, seminars, and demonstrations throughout the year. There was also a good-sized gallery exhibit of beadwork that featured my work and included the contemporary and historical work of many others. The residency resulted in several articles in the local media.

I later completed a bead work commission for the museum, and some of my work is sold in the museum gift shop.I have published projects available online at Beading Times, Bead Bugle, All Free Jewelry, and The Beading Gem's Journal. Some of my kits are sold online through Beadfx. Kalmbach Publishing published my first book, Modern Chain Mail Jewelry, in 2015.Most of my time at present is directed to creating new chain mail projects.

I am currently working on several new designs that will be ready as kits and for teaching this fall. Each of these will have an Argentium sterling and a copper or Jeweler's Bronze version, and a couple will be silver filled 925/10. This will bring my chain mail kit total to more than 150. (My husband makes all our jump rings and packages the kits. Good man!)

Website: www.marilyngardiner.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GardinerDesign