Hammering wire is a very simple technique that can be used to create sophisticated and artful jewelry. This necklace is formed of hammered and wrapped links. Choose a colorful cloisonn bead, or any bead you like, for the centerpiece. If youd like to make this piece look more elaborate, you can shape or add beads to the dangles.

Finished Size: approx. 16" (40.6cm) long

51" (129.5cm) of 18 gauge round wire

16" (40.6cm) of 22 gauge round wire

25mm 15mm cloisonn bead

10 jump rings316" (5mm), 18 gauge (see pages 2324 in The Art of Wire to make your own)

S Clasp (see page 27 in The Art of Wire to make your own)

Permanent marker

Hammered Wire Links & Cloisonn Necklace

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materials list

From The Art of Wire by J. Marsha Michler, 2011; Courtesy of F+W Media.

Cut 6" (15.2cm) of 18 gauge wire. Grasp the wire 2" (5.1cm) from the end with round nose pliers and bend it to form a U shape.

1 Bend the wire again 112" (3.8cm) from the opposite end so the wire ends overlap each other. Hammer the wire to flatten (see Hammering on page 18 in The Art of Wire).

2

Using a permanent marker, mark 12" (1.3cm) in from the first bend. Cut a 2" (5.1cm) length of 22 gauge wire and wrap it around the folded wire, centering the wrap on the mark (see Wrapping on page 17 in The Art of Wire).

Bend the 112" (3.8cm) end outward to get it out of the way. Using 2" (5.1cm) of 22 gauge wire, create another wrap 12" (1.3cm) in from this end, aligning the end of the wrap with the end of the shorter wire.

3 Use round nose pliers to curl the loose wire end around the end of the second wrap, forming an end loop at the same time. Repeat Steps 14 to create a total of 4 links in this manner.

4

From The Art of Wire by J. Marsha Michler, 2011; Courtesy of F+W Media.

Cut 3" (7.6cm) of 18 gauge wire. Bend the wire 1" (2.5cm) from the end and form a wrapped loop (see Wrapped Loops on page 20 in The Art of Wire). Hammer the dangle to flatten it. Create 3 dangles in this manner.

5 Cut an 18" (45.7cm) length of 18 gauge wire. String the cloisonn bead on the wire. Using round nose pliers, bend the wire upward 6" (15.2cm) from the end, form a loop at the bend, and then bring the wire end parallel with the piece. Repeat this wire shaping at the other end, bending the wire downward. Center the bead and form the wires slightly around the bead. Hammer the entire wire to flatten, moving the bead as needed, but centering it after hammering.

6

Mark with a permanent marker 12" (1.3cm) and 214" (5.7cm) from each end. Using 3" (7.6cm) of 22 gauge wire for each wrap, wrap at each mark, centering each wrap over the mark and leaving the wire ends free.

7 String the 3 dangles onto the wire end under the bead. Shape this end to follow the shape of the bead, but keep it about 18" (3mm) below the bead. Use round nose pliers to curl the end of the wire around the wrap at the side of the bead.

8

From The Art of Wire by J. Marsha Michler, 2011; Courtesy of F+W Media.

Bend the other loose end backward, then curve it up and over the bead, forming a decorative swirl across the front of the bead. Keep this wire close to the bead, and curl the end at the other side of the bead.

9 Use 2 jump rings to attach the centerpiece to one side link, keeping the curled end of the link toward the front of the necklace. Attach a second link to this one, then repeat at the other side of the necklace. Carefully shape each section of the necklace to fit the curve of your neck (only a slight curve in each is needed). Add a jump ring to each end of the necklace and add an S clasp.

10

From The Art of Wire by J. Marsha Michler, 2011; Courtesy of F+W Media.