Handmade Bead Swirl Necklace

Follow these steps to create your own custom, whimsical necklace using silver wire and handmade glass beads.

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Project by Kareen Kjelstrom from Santa Monica, Calif.

Kareen Kjelstrom loves creating jewelry. In this project, she makes a fun swirly necklace.

Materials and Tools:

2 handmade glass beads (9-10mm)
1 handmade glass bead (4-5mm)
27" of 16-gauge sterling silver round wire
2" of 24-gauge sterling silver round wire
1" 22-gauge head pin
marker to assist in shaping
round nose pliers
chain nose pliers
bench block
ball peen hammer

To make the beads:

minor bench burner
oxygen and propane
Effetre (Morretti) glass rods
steel mandrels
fiber blanket

Figure A

Steps:

1. Make glass beads: Turn on oxygen and propane. Light the torch. Heat glass, attach and shape on steel mandrel. Allow to cool in fiber blanket. Remove glass bead and clean.

2. Shape the pendant using 7 inches of 16-gauge sterling round wire.