Woven Wire Lotus Flower Pendant

by Abby Hook

Category: Weaving
Technique(s): Weaving
Skill Level: Intermediate

This project shows you how to make this delicate flower, which resembles a lotus flower. By weaving the petals and shaping them you create the impression that the flower is in bloom.

A lot of the jewellery I make has been inspired by nature and this pendant is no exception! I love the way that wire allows you to create any form that takes your fancy, once you have grasped a few basic skills. I have a number of tutorials available on-line ranging from beginner to very advanced.

The lotus is an ancient symbol. Often used as an example of divine beauty and purity. Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul. The growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise. It is said that when Buddha died, lotus flowers blossomed everywhere he had walked in his lifetime. The lotus flower represents long life, health, honor and good luck.

Materials

18 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-18D

Lesson Quantity: 8.50 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $4.93
Gold Club Price: $3.70

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28 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-28D

Lesson Quantity: 100.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 10FT
Price: $5.04
Gold Club Price: $3.78

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Sterling Silver Mirror Beads 2.5mm - Pack of 25

K9-173

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.30
Gold Club Price: $3.23

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Dog Teeth Amethyst 8mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand

A1-171

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.45
Gold Club Price: $7.09

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

G2-1

G2-1
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

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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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C.H.P Milano Angled Flush Cutter, 5-1/4 Inches

PLR-489.00

PLR-489.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $21.95
Gold Club Price: $16.46

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Instructions

Step 1

Pro Tip: • Keep sliding the weave along the thick wire with your nail to keep it tight.
• Hold the 10" tail for attaching the bead carefully out of the way so that it does not get tangled up with the wire you are working on.
• Oxidise the pendant to really highlight the detail in the wirework.

Cut a piece of 18 gauge wire 8 ½" long. Measure 2" from one end of the wire and make a sharp 135° bend using the flat nose pliers. Measure ½" from the first bend and make another 135° bend in the opposite direction to the first, using the flat nose pliers. This is the first of 5 petals. In the same way as before make another 4 petals.

Abby Hook's Woven Wire Lotus Flower Pendant - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, zig zag the wire

Step 2

Using your fingers, gently bend the wire round, so that the two straight wires meet and sit parallel to each other. Notice how this closes the triangle shapes. Grasp the wire just after the first bend with the flat nose pliers as shown. Bend the centre of the petal slightly outwards then grasp the wire just below the second bend with the flat nose pliers. Bend the centre outwards slightly.

Abby Hook's Woven Wire Lotus Flower Pendant - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, shape the wire into a daisy

Step 3

Shape the other side of the petal. Notice how this makes the bottom of the petal cross over itself. Squeeze the petal shape between the nylon jaw pliers to flatten. Shape all of the petals in this way. Adjust the gap between each petal (by pushing the petals gently together with your fingers) until it is just the 2 straight wires that overlap.

Step 4

Cut a piece of 28 gauge wire 12" long. Attach it to the point of the first petal by coiling 5 times, leaving a 1" tail. Take the thin wire over the first thick wire of the petal and under the opposite thick wire. Coil once to secure. Take the thin wire over the thick wire that you just coiled and under the opposite thick wire. Coil once, pulling tightly.

Abby Hook's Woven Wire Lotus Flower Pendant - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, attach a 28 gauge piece of wire

Step 5

Keep weaving in this way: Over, under, coil once. Until you reach the bottom of the petal. Coil the nearest thick wire 3 times to secure the thin wire and trim, trim the 1" tail too and tuck the ends in neatly with the long nose pliers so that they are hidden and do not catch when you run your finger over.

Abby Hook's Woven Wire Lotus Flower Pendant - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, weave the petal

Step 6

Weave the other 4 petals. Notice how rigid the structure is now. Ensure that the two straight wires overlap at the bottom, so that the wire from the petal on the right is on the left and the wire from the left hand petal is on the right. Check the wires are straight and there is a gap between them to allow for the weaving.

Abby Hook's Woven Wire Lotus Flower Pendant - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, weave the other petals

Step 7

Cut a piece of 28 gauge wire 40" long. Attach it by coiling both straight wires together 3 times on the curve at the bottom. Leave a 10" tail, this will be used to attach the bead. Take the long length of the thin wire and weave the bail, covering 1". Coil the nearest thick wire 3 times. Leave the length of the thin wire attached for securing the bail.

Abby Hook's Woven Wire Lotus Flower Pendant - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, weave the bail

Step 8

Trim the thick wires to 1/3" and form two loops. Using the 10" tail, thread the 8mm bead onto it. Pass the wire through the hole in the centre of the petals, then round to the front and back through the bead. Pull tightly. Wrap the thin wire around the base of the bead 10 times. Coil the nearest thick wire 3 times, trim and tuck the end in.

Abby Hook's Woven Wire Lotus Flower Pendant - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, make the bail

Step 9

With your fingers carefully push the petals upwards against the bead. Carefully grasp a petal at the end with the flat nose pliers, bend downwards 45 degrees to shape. Try not to squeeze too hard as you do not want to damage your weaving. Shape all 5 petals this way. Shape the bail and bind 3 times to secure in place, add a 2.5mm silver bead to hide the binding.

Abby Hook's Woven Wire Lotus Flower Pendant - , Wire Weaving, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, secure the bail

Reviews

Abby Hook

In 2009 I decided to pursue a dream I had harboured for many years, to start my own jewellery business! So that is exactly what I did. I love what I do, it is not just a job to me - it my passion and obsession! Born and raised in North London, I grew up surrounded by artistic people. Living in a very close community with a diverse mix of characters, I was able to try my hand at a whole array of crafts, from sewing to polymer clay modelling. I come from a long line of artists, my Great, Great Grandfather was Frank Paton, well known for his realistic portrayal of both wild and domestic animals using oil paints, but he is probably more fondly remembered for his pencil etchings. Many other family members have continued the tradition of painting and drawing. Although I enjoyed drawing, I wasn't particularly good at it. Imagine my delight when I discovered the possibility of bringing things to life with wire! I am the Author of Wire Jewellery Masterclass. The idea for writing this book seemed to me like a natural progression from the writing of individual tutorials. It allows me to place the various skill levels in order, offering a starting platform for the complete novice, through to the more advanced levels, as well as giving ideas for more experienced wireworkers to develop their existing abilities