NUCLEUS NECKLACE

The month of May has almost vanished and
we can now look forward to June and the
warmth of summer ahead ...

Bold, simple statement pieces are ideal to
jazz up a T-shirt, blouse or summer dress
and I think, this NUCLEUS NECKLACE
hits just the hot spot!

All you will need, is a flat back cabochon,
button, or flat bead. If it's large, use 1.5mm
aluminium wire to frame it and if it's small,
0.8mm wire will do.

Here's one version to show you the basic technique,
but, have fun experimenting with your own variations!

STEP 1

Working from a spool of wire, begin by creating a flat spiral
of wire that is the same diameter as your flat back 'stone'. Cut
the wire from the spool, leaving a long tail of about 1ft (30cm)
projecting (for smaller 'stones' leave less). Glue the 'stone' to the
spiral base - I used E6000 glue - and left it to set ...

STEP 2

Once the 'stone' is firmly glued onto the spiral base, initially,
wrap the projecting wire around the perimeter of the 'stone',
creating a fake setting. After, that ... you can do what you want!
I have created an open spiral (as above), but you can make any
nucleus shaped frame around it!

STEP 3

Use round nosed, or bail maker pliers to create a circular, suspension
link at the end of the wire.

STEP 4

To work harden the outer wire frame, stroke hammer on a steel
block, being careful to avoid the 'stone'. And as above, you
can add texture to the flattened wire, using the 'dapping' head
of the Whammer hammer.

STEP 5

This is completely optional, but if you feel your
outer frame needs reinforcing, weave a little 0.4mm
(28-gauge) wire around the perimeter ...

STEP 6

This is also optional, but for extra interest and decoration,
you can 'tweak' the woven wires, with a little twist from the tips
of your chain nosed pliers.

STEP 7 - THE TOP HANGER

Cut approx. 5"(12.5cm) of 1.5mm aluminium wire
and fold in half, around your round nosed, or bail
making pliers. (This amount will vary for smaller
'stones').

STEP 8

Initially, create tiny (squidged) circles at the ends of the
wire, facing inwards, towards each other. Then, place
your round nosed or bail making pliers just next to the
small, squidged circles and form, outward facing loops
on each side (it's similar to making 2 'fish hook' clasps!)

STEP 9

Spend a little time adjusting and shaping the unit, until you
have the looped sides at a more horizontal plane to the
central circle.

STEP 10

If desired, you can wire in a bead on each side, using 0.4mm
wire, before connecting to the the top link of your pendant.

STEP 11

To create the sides of the necklace, attach a jump ring and
secure some beading filament with a crimp to the each side
of your top hanger.

STEP 12

I added 2 side cords, each threaded with matching seed beads.
Then I added one larger bead, plus crimp and cut off one of the
cords, so that I could be left with one cord end.

STEP 13

With just one more bead and crimp, I formed a small loop
at the end, ready to attach my chain extension.

STEP 14

And there you have it! Connect a chain to each side, to the
length desired, plus clasp and your Nucleus Necklace
is ready for the cat-walk!

To show you just how variable this Nucleus Necklace design
can be, here's how I shaped the wire with some other pieces:

And this is how they eventually turned out!

So, I do hope you have just as much fun as I had playing
with this design technique!

HAPPY WIREWORKING!