Sometimes, the simplest designs can be the most effective! The following
project is a perfect example of that! If you have a beautiful lampworked
bead, or you just want to highlight a single colour bead, this is a great
way of framing it!
MATERIALS required: 0.8mm wire, focal bead
TOOLS: Circular mandrel, round and flat nosed pliers, wire cutters,
hammer and steel block.
STEP 1
Depending on the size of bead that you wish to frame, wrap 0.8mm
wire around a circular mandrel that is just slightly larger in diameter.
Cut the wire off the spool leaving about 1cm overlapping on each
side of the circle.
STEP 2
Using the tips of your round nosed pliers, create small links at
each end of the wire.
STEP 3
Grip each of the small end links in turn and "TWIST", so
that they sit at right angles to the circular frame, facing each
other.
STEP 4
Push the end links together, so that they sit side by side at the
top of the frame.
STEP 5
Avoiding the top links, gently stroke hammer the rest of the
frame to spread and work harden it.
STEP 6
Thread your chosen bead with wire ...
STEP 7
... creating a headpin at one end and a small link at the other.
STEP 8
Create a large jump ring with your round nosed pliers. Place the
the top link of your bead inbetween the links of the frame and
thread the jump ring through all 3 top loops, thereby suspending
the bead at the centre of the frame.
STEP 9
It's now ready to be attached to a Key Ring finding ...
STEP 10
Or, turned into a pretty pendant necklace!
To make an OVAL frame:
Shape the wire as in step 1,
but don't leave overlapping
wires when you cut from the
spool.
Follow all the other project
steps and gently push the top
links together, forming an
oval frame.
And there you have it!
Suspend with a peardrop
bead.
BEADED COLOUR Variation:
You could also omit the hammering in Step 5, and
thread the frame with small beads, creating a beaded
outer frame.
TASSEL Variation:
Alternatively, why not try making a tassel, as an extra
decorative detail for your frame.
WIRED BEADS Variation:
You could even make enough frames for a bracelet, or
necklace chain and use 0.4mm wire to bind and secure
some beads within.
And of course, these frames are perfect for EARRINGS!
So have fun with this very simple project and next time ...
we're going to attempt a CURLY WURLY BROOCH!
