Dangling Chain Sticks

by Judy Larson

Category: Findings
Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
Skill Level: Beginner

These little sticks help provide a bit of drama and movement to the drops added to them. Kick them up a notch by adding embellishments. Wire wrap clear seed beads on them for a bit of unexpected sparkle.

Materials

18 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-18H

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $6.50
Gold Club Price: $4.87

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18 gauge 2.5mm ID Argentium jump rings

Lesson Quantity: 10.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Tools

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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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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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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5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws

G2-1

G2-1
Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

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Silver Solder Paste Medium SS70 - 1/4 T.O.

SOL-822.15

SOL-822.15
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.95
Gold Club Price: $14.21

Out of Stock

Blazer GB4001 Stingray Torch, Black

TRCH-4001

TRCH-4001
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $49.95
Gold Club Price: $37.46

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Magnesia Soldering Block

SOL-455.00

SOL-455.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

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Daddy Dipper Pickle Pot, 24 Ounce Capacity

CLN-585.00

CLN-585.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $45.95
Gold Club Price: $34.46

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Copper Tongs, Curved, 8-1/2 Inches

TWZ-920.02

TWZ-920.02
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $6.95
Gold Club Price: $5.21

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NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR

CLN-163.00

CLN-163.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.95
Gold Club Price: $13.46

Out of Stock

WireJewelry 4 Step Rock Tumbler Abrasive Grit and Polish Kit, 20 Batches

G24-9-20PK

G24-9-20PK
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $124.95
Gold Club Price: $93.71

Out of Stock

Jewelers Mix Stainless Steel Shot and Shinebrite Kit, 1 LB Shot

TUM-SS1

TUM-SS1
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $49.95
Gold Club Price: $37.46

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Instructions

Step 1

Rustic chunky jewelry can take a lot of wear and tear and still look good. I love these stick necklace chain links made with 12 or 14 gauge wire and usually have a lot of them on hand in various lengths and gauges of wire to finish off lake stone pendants. The ends of the wires are paddled and centers textured on a bench block with hammers. After holes are punched in the paddled ends, the ends are rounded and refined. If adding beads to the links, remember to do it before paddling the second end. Easy peasy links.....UNLESS someone in your household is napping/sleeping.

I thought these dangle drops would benefit from a slightly more refined and sleek looking stick. Just as with the more rustic sticks, these can be made in any length and with any gauge wire. And the best part-No noise to wake people up!

Straighten and flush cut both ends of two pieces of 18 gauge round Argentium wire 5/8" long for short sticks and 7/8" for longer sticks. The finished short stick will be approximately 1" long (Eye of Shiva, Gold Druzy, and Oink Crazy Lace Agate Earrings ). The longer stick will be approximately 1¼" long (Black Druzy and Blue Crazy Lace Agate Earrings).

Judy Larson's Dangling Chain Sticks - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, danglling stick findings

Step 2

Close two 18 gauge 2.5mm ID jump rings for each stick.

Step 3

Place an 18 gauge wire on a soldering surface. Place a dab of medium paste solder at one end of the wire. Push the seam of a jump ring into the solder until the ring touches the wire. Repeat the process with the other end of the wire.

Heat the dangle wires until the solder flows. Allow them to cool naturally.

IMPORTANT: If the jump rings at one or both ends of the sticks are to be opened to attach to drops and/or earring findings, make sure the jump ring opening is facing to the side. This can be important if the earring finding and/or the drops have closed loops. Be careful not to overheat the unit and fuse the jump ring openings.

Step 4

Pickle, rinse, and dry the dangle sticks.

Step 5

Use files and sanding pads to clean and refine each solder join.

Step 6

If the orientation of the loop on the earring finding is opposite the loop on the drop to be added, the stick loops will need to be reoriented. Grasp the full stick length tightly, half in each soft jaw plier, and twist one plier a quarter turn. This will re-orient the loops.

Step 7:

Step It Up A Notch Embellishing:

Use scraps of sheet metal to make leaves and wire scrap to make balls. Play with the components until happy with the placement.

Pro Tip: Take a photo to reference for embellishment placement.

Judy Larson's Dangling Chain Sticks - Step It Up A Notch Embellishing:, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, danglling stick findings

Step 8

This process can be done at the same time as adding the jump rings to the wire pieces. It is, however, much easier to do after the dangle sticks are made.

Place the dangle sticks on the soldering surface. Place dots of medium paste solder on the dangle stick and push the embellishments into it. Heat the sticks until the solder flows.

Pro Tip: Keep a solder pick in one hand to help nudge pieces back in place if they move a bit during the soldering process.

Step 9

Pickle, rinse, and dry the dangle sticks.

Step 10

Tumble all the dangle sticks for several hours to bring up a shine.

Step 11

Patina the dangle sticks if desired. Patina will help highlight the design elements.

Step 12

Using 0000 steel wool or very fine sanding pads, remove excess patina from the raised areas.

Step 13

Tumble the pieces again for 20 to 30 minutes to bring back a shine.

Step 14

It is not easy to grasp the embellished dangle sticks between soft jaw pliers, so the loop orientation could not be changed. In this case, jump rings connected the drops to the dangle sticks.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!