Sea Treasures Hammered Earrings, Bracelet, and Necklace Chapter 9
19.Use the ruler to measure and mark 1H”
from the end of the 20-gauge wire. At the
1 H” 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; and 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 you formed with the
chain nose pliers and wrap the wire “tail”
around the longer piece of the 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 the beads that you have selected to the
wire. Remember to allow at least 1H” of
extra wire at the end of the beads.After you add the beads to the wire, use a
ruler to measure and mark 1H” above the
beads. Use the wire cutters or tin snips and
cut the wire at the 1H” mark. Use the ruler
to measure and mark H” 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
and set this aside.18.Open the oval jump ring, add one fish shape
and one end of a H” piece of chain, and then
close the jump ring. Repeat with the other
jump ring, fish shape, and chain and set
these aside.
To open and close jump rings,
use two pairs 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.