Mary Bailey's Cotter Pin Focal Pendant, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. As we progress through learning wire jewelry making techniques, too often we forget the simple beauty of singular components.

Cotter Pin Focal Pendant

by Mary Bailey
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Beginner
As we progress through learning wire jewelry making techniques, too often we forget the simple beauty of singular components. Combining a single focal bead with the basic cotter pin component, one can create a variety of simple, yet lovely and inexpensive pendant designs. Use your imagination and large beads that you may have put back for "someday," alter the metal chosen, maybe add tiny beads to the coils and make this design your own.

Materials

24 Gauge Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-24H
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $1.24
  • Gold Club Price: $0.93
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16 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-16D
  • Lesson Quantity: 5.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $8.35
  • Gold Club Price: $6.26
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Flat Briolette Bead 22mm x 30mm
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

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
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Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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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
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Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face
G3-27
  • G3-27
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Steel and Rubber Bench Block 4x4 Inches
G17-44
  • G17-44
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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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
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12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler
G7-30
  • G7-30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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Instructions
Step 1
Straighten, measure and cut one piece of 16-gauge wire that is 3 times the length of the briolette bead being set. (Sample used 22x30mm, flat briolette bead and 2 3/4" (65mm) of wire). Bend the wire at its center, over round nose pliers, and then keyhole. Trim the legs so that they are no shorter, but the same length.
Mary Bailey's Cotter Pin Focal Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Mary Bailey's Cotter Pin Focal Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 2
From the end of each leg, measure up 1/2" and mark. Lay the bead inside the shape, spreading the legs until the fit is good.
Mary Bailey's Cotter Pin Focal Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 3
Use round nose pliers to form a loop, working away from the center, on the end of each leg.
Mary Bailey's Cotter Pin Focal Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 4
Use a chasing hammer on a bench block to flatten/harden the cotter pin shape on both sides. Use the 24-gauge round wire to begin a wrap just above one of the looped legs and wrap down toward the loop, 5 times to show. Do not cut this wire!
Mary Bailey's Cotter Pin Focal Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 5
Thread the bead onto the longer part of the 24-gauge wire, centering the bead between the leg loops. (Leave as much or as little negative space on the wire for the bead to swing freely- or not.) Use the remaining 24-gauge wire to wrap from just above the leg loop on the opposite side of the bead up, 5 times to show. Trim and tuck both wire ends.
Mary Bailey's Cotter Pin Focal Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,
Step 6
Add a large jump ring or an "Independent Bail"
Mary Bailey's Cotter Pin Focal Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry,