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Judy Freyer Thompson's Modified Figure-8 Chain, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop. I was playing around with a bit of scrap wire the other day making figure 8 links.

Modified Figure-8 Chain

by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Making Loops
  • Skill Level: Beginner
I was playing around with a bit of scrap wire the other day making figure 8 links. One of the wires already had an eye on one end, so I tried incorporating the eye into the design. I came up with this link which is easy to make and easy to assemble. The links take 1 7/8" of wire each and finish out at approximately 5/8", therefore the number of links you make will determine the amount of wire you will need. This project is a bracelet that finishes off at 7 1/2" and uses 16 links, this chain will also work for a necklace

I made this bracelet very basic. You can choose to add bead caps to the bead dangles, and even add more dangles. There are so many possibilities!!!

I used 18 gauge red brass and 20 gauge dead soft nickel silver wire. Keep in mind that approximately 20% of people exhibit an allergic reaction to nickel, so consider that when choosing your wire.

Materials

18 Gauge Half Round Half Hard Red Brass Wire
H3-18HRH
  • Lesson Quantity: 18.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $3.06
  • Gold Club Price: $2.29
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20 Gauge Round Half Hard Nickel Silver Wire
H7-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 14.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $3.00
  • Gold Club Price: $2.25
Out of Stock
Pink Crazy Lace Agate 10mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-805
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.45
  • Gold Club Price: $7.09
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Pocket Diamond Needle File Set--5 Piece
FIL-673.00
  • FIL-673.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $25.97
  • Gold Club Price: $19.48
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Instructions
Step 1
Measure and cut (9) 1 7/8” pieces of red brass wire, and (7) 1 7/8” pieces of nickel silver wire. Remove any burrs and file the ends straight using the needle file.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Modified Figure-8 Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, cut pieces of wire
Step 2
Using the round nose pliers, position the wire at the base of the pliers and make an eye. Break the neck of the eye.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Modified Figure-8 Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make a loop
Step 3
On the opposite end of the wire, use the round nose pliers and make a 1.5mm eye and break the neck. Make sure the top eye is parallel to the bottom eye and both cut ends are facing the same way.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Modified Figure-8 Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make a small loop
Step 4
Use the flat face of the half round pliers to slightly bend the small eye at a 90 degree angle.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Modified Figure-8 Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, bend the small loop
Step 5
Grasp the wire at the large eye with the half round pliers and bend the small eye over the round part of the pliers and towards the larger eye until it fits inside. Adjust as needed to assure a tight fit.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Modified Figure-8 Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, bend the link
Step 6
Make (8) brass links and (7) nickel silver links. Connect them by wriggling the smaller eye of one link into the larger eye of another.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Modified Figure-8 Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, connect the links
Step 7
To make the clasp, use the last brass link. Open the large eye like a jump ring and secure it through both eyes on the last brass link, close the eye.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Modified Figure-8 Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, make the clasp
Step 8
To make the bead dangles, slide the beads of your choice on to the dressmaker pins. Slide on the single 12-13 mm bead and trim the pin. Make an eye using the round nose pliers.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Modified Figure-8 Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Make the bead charms
Step 9
Attach a bead dangle to each link through the small and large eyes.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Modified Figure-8 Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, attach the dangles

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