Teardrop Link Handmade Chain

by Judy Freyer Thompson

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Chain Making
Skill Level: Intermediate

Interspersing a basic jump ring chain with teardrop links, you can make an eye-catching chain. To keep consistency in the chain, use a larger teardrop link for the closure component when you use an interesting button or shell or large bead for the toggle.

Materials

14 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire

H11-14D

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $1.83
Gold Club Price: $1.37

Out of Stock

Copper Solder Paste, 1/2 ozt, Soft

SOL-824.10

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

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Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black

TRCH-8010

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $40.00
Gold Club Price: $30.00

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Fire Brick

SOL-485.00

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $15.95
Gold Club Price: $11.96

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Small Brass Brush

BRS-966.10

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $10.97
Gold Club Price: $8.23

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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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Ring Bending Pliers

PLR-835.00

PLR-835.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.37
Gold Club Price: $18.28

Out of Stock

Wubbers X-Large Round Mandrel Pliers

G2-1304

G2-1304
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $35.97
Gold Club Price: $26.98

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Wubbers Jumbo Round Mandrel Pliers

G2-1305

G2-1305
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $35.97
Gold Club Price: $26.98

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safe pickle

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Instructions

Step 1

To make the jump rings, wrap the wire on the on the 21mm side of the Jumbo Wubbers for 12 jump rings. Repeat making 12 jump rings on the 15mm side of the Extra Large Wubbers.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Teardrop Link Handmade Chain - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , teardrop link chain

Step 2

Slide the coils off the mandrels and cut the rings using the flush cutters from the Ultimate wire-pliers set. To achieve a nice flush cut, flip the cutters over after cutting one side of one ring, and cut the other side.

Step 3

Using a bench pin for support, file the cut ends of the rings smooth.

Step 4

Using flat nose pliers, grasp both sides of a ring and condition by pushing the sides away from each other. This will help when preparing the rings for soldering.

Step 5

Close all the 21mm rings, making sure the ends are flush and ready for soldering. Lay the rings on the fire brick or your choice. Solder the rings closed using the butane torch. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions and safety precautions.

Step 6

Let the rings cool and place in the safe pickle to remove any fire scale. Refer to https://www.wirejewelry.com/jewelry_making_tips_techniques/A-Safer-Pickle-Pot_67.html for a good recipe for safe pickle. Remove from the pickle, wash the rings using soapy water and dry thoroughly.

Step 7

Using the ring bending pliers, shape the rings into teardrop links.

Step 8

Assemble the teardrop links into a chain using the 15mm jump rings. Make sure the joins of each ring are flush.

Step 9

Lay the chain on the fire brick or your choice of soldering brick and solder the 15mm rings closed. Make sure your chain starts with a teardrop ring and ends with a plain 15mm ring. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions and safety instructions for the torch and the solder.

Let the chain cool and place in the safe pickle to remove any fire scale.

Remove from the pickle, wash the rings using soapy water and dry thoroughly.

Step 10

Brass brush the chain, laying it on the bench pin for support.

Step 11

Make an eye pin by making a simple loop on the end of a piece of wire. String the bead on the opposite end through the bead and finish with a simple loop on the other end, next to the bead.

Step 12

Attach a charm on one end and a small piece of figure 8 chain on the other end. Refer to the tutorial on figure-8 links in our education section.

Step 13

Attach the figure 8 chain to the plain jump ring on the chain.
This necklace can be worn with the closure in the back or front.

Reviews

Judy Freyer Thompson

Judy Freyer Thompson has been creating since 2006 and is mostly self-taught. She is an artist with a diverse background ranging from farming to mechanical manufacturing to aerospace. Her jewelry and small sculpture reflect both her experience and fascination with materials that are earthy. More often than not she loves to 'think outside the box'. She loves to incorporate found objects and objects such as bones, teeth, fur in her work. These desires feeds her desire to design and create one of a kind pieces of art to wear. Her work has been in various galleries as well as being featured in magazines and books. Along with Kalmbach Publishing , she released Simple Metalwork Jewelry in October 2016. She is a freelance designer and writes projects for Wire Jewelry and other on line publications. By day, she is the Assistant Director of a School Readiness Program. She lives in CT with her husband Mel, daughter Madison, and kitties Truman, Binky and Layla