I'm Ready For My Close Up....

Tessie made me do it... She insisted on at least one necklace and earrings to match.

So... Here we go!

The supplies I used were #32 gage wire, needle nosed pliers and # 15 beads.

I used the largest beads that I would suggest for mini jewelry and they are still a bit big.  They are easier for you to see...

I started with about 8 to 10 inches of wire.  It is easier to handle... There is a bit of loss, but #32 is cheap.

I started by bending the middle of the wire around the needle nosed pliers and then wrapping one side around the other one.  This will be the start of either necklace or bracelet.

After you have twisted the wire about three times, you can start stringing the beads in a pattern that you like or at random...

I don't measure.  I just make the first strand large enough to drape around Tessie's neck.

Then I twist the wire so that the beads won't slip off.  I make the second strand a bit larger, so that it will hang down lower than the other strand.

When I have the second strand where I want it, I bring the two ends together. The top piece is bent back on itself and formed into a hook and the bottom  piece is wrapped around it, as close to the beads as possible to hold the hook.

The hook should fit through the eye on the other end and can be bent in place to keep the necklace or bracelet on.

The earrings consist of three or more beads in a loop on the center of a short piece of wire.  I use about two inches.  Then the ends are twisted tightly together with pliers.

If they are to be displayed, that is how they will look best. 

In Tessie's case, I simply left them twisted and straight, and snipped them off about a quarter of an inch from the beads. Tessie doesn't have pierced ears, so she simply shoves the straight end up into her hair.

Now I am going to get to the cottage if Tessie will let me.  I see other jewels glittering in her eyes...

See you tomorrow.