Three-Strand Sky Earrings and Necklace Chapter 11
15.Repeat this step using two 14×10 mm
faceted flat oval beads, repeat this step using
three 14×10 mm faceted flat oval beads, and
then repeat this step on the 30× 25 ×5 mm
flat oval bead.16.To connect all of the components, start at
the bottom of the necklace and work up.14.Use the ruler to measure and mark the
20-gauge sterling silver wire 1H” from the
end. At the 1H” mark, use the chain nose
pliers and bend the wire to a 90-degree
angle. Use the round nose pliers and grasp
the wire at the bend with the section that
you bent pointing toward you and the longer
part of the wire where the beads will be
pointing down. Use your fingers to wrap the
wire that is pointing toward you around the
round nose pliers to form a loop. The closer
that you hold the wire to the end of the jaws
of the round nose pliers, the smaller the loop
will be; the farther up the jaws of the round
nose pliers that you hold the wire, the larger
the loop will be. Hold the loop that that you
formed with the chain nose pliers and wrap
the wire “tail” around the longer piece of
wire that is pointing down. When this wire
has been wrapped, trim and file the end so
that it will not be sharp. Use the chain nose
pliers to squeeze the last loop tight against
the wire. Add two 14 × 10 mm faceted flat
oval beads to the wire above the wrapped
loop. Measure at least 1H” above the top
bead and cut the wire. Use the ruler to meas-
ure and mark approximately G” above the
top bead; this is where you will bend the
wire at a 90-degree angle to form the
wrapped loop at the other end of the beads.
After bending the wire, repeat the loop and
wrapping process.
To open and close jump rings,
use two pair of chain nose pliers
pointing up to hold the jump ring
with the opening at the top. Roll one
of your wrists away from you and your
other wrist toward you, opening the
jump ring only as much as you need to.
To close the jump ring, hold it the same
way and roll your wrists in the opposite
direction (think of holding a piece of
paper and tearing it). Never pull the
jump ring ends out, as this will weaken
the metal, and it will be difficult to
close the jump ring.