Cotter Pin Focal Pendant

Designed by Mary Bailey ©2010

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.

Skill Level: Beginner/All

Technique: Basic Component

Materials

• 24-gauge round dead soft or half hard jewelry wire, 4 inches
• 16-gauge round dead soft jewelry wire, 3 times the length of the bead
• Flat Briolette Bead (Sample uses 22 x 30mm bead)

Tools

• Chain Nose Pliers
• Round Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Chasing Hammer
• Bench Block
• Ruler

Instructions

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 ¾" (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.
   
   
2. From the end of each leg, measure up ½" and mark. Lay the bead inside the shape, spreading the legs until the fit is good.
   
   
   
3. Use round nose pliers to form a loop, working away from the center, on the end of each leg.
   
   
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!
   
   
   
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.
   
   
   
6. Add a large jump ring or an "Independent Bail"
   
   

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