Sweetie Brooch
By Linda Jones (www.wirejewellery.co.uk)
This is made the same way as the Sweetie Necklace without the chain.
Materials: 1 x dichroic glass bead, 10” (25.5cm) of 0.8mm gold plated wire, 2 x 10” (25.5cm) lengths of 0.4mm gold plated wire, 2 x gold plated jump rings, gold plated chain and clasp. (materials can also be found here)
Tools: Round, flat and chain nosed pliers, wire cutters, hammer and steel stake.
1. Begin by cutting 10” (25.5cm) of 0.8mm wire and thread the dichroic bead to the centre of this length. Pull the wire up at right angles to the bead hole on either side.
2. Leaving approx. 1” (2.5cm) of wire, bend the rest back down, on either side towards the bead.
3. Place your round nosed pliers on the wire and create a small bend (or wiggle) along the length.
4. Continue bending the wire, back and forth, into 3 further ‘wiggles’ and finally back around towards the bead hole.
5. Wrap any projecting wire around the stem, next to the bead, to secure. (You don’t have to be neat, just randomly wrap it and neaten the cut end with your chain nosed pliers).
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 for the other side of the bead.
7. Place the outer edges of the wire frame on a steel stake and ‘stroke’ hammer to work harden and flatten.
8. Cut 2 x 10” (25.5cm) lengths of 0.4mm gold plated wire and wrap to secure around the side of the bead (over the previous 0.8mm wire wrap), leaving a short tail projecting of approx. 2.5” (6.5cm).
9. Use the longer end to wrap within the first indent of the frame, securing it back near the bead hole. Continue wrapping the wire within the wire framework, weaving it backwards and forwards to secure. Wrap the 2.5” (6.5cm) projecting wire ( from step 8 ) around the previous wraps and neaten any ends. Repeat for the other side of the bead.
10. Gluing a brooch pin to the back of the bead
