Masks have had a place in our cultural
history and heritage since ancient times,
specifically in Africa. They were used in ritual
ceremonies to communicate to ancestral spirits.
And down the ages, they have also been used in
entertainment, as well as practical purposes for
protection. As we well know today, with the
Covid health crisis!
So I thought I would design a MASK pendant, which you could adapt and change as you wish, by adding your own details and components.
Not only is this apt as a talismanic protection piece, but I think it would also work well as a Halloween decoration, which is approaching next month!
STEP 1 (The Frame)
Depending on the size of pendant you wish to
create, cut a piece of wire (0.8mm/1mm gauge).
Fold in half and shape like a fish!
STEP 2
Once you have established the shape and size,
straighten one of the extending wires and cut the
other end, leaving just enough to form a link to secure
around the top of the frame stem.
STEP 3 (Eyes and Nose)
To create the nose and eyes, cut a length of
0.8mm wire (my pendant is about 7cm x 3cm
and I used about 15cm). Hold the centre of the
length in your flat nosed pliers and bend the
wires up on each side, keeping them straight
and parallel. Trim the very ends to the
same length.
STEP 4
The length of the 'nose' is your choice, it can be
long, short, fat or thin! Bend each of the extending
wiresout on each side to form the eyes.
STEP 5
Bend each of the extending wires back in towards
each other, trying to keep each side as symmetrical
as possible.
STEP 6
Place the tips of your round nosed wires at the
very end of each of the wires and curl them
around to form tight spirals, creating the 'eyes'
on each side.
STEP 7 (The Mouth)
Measure fold and shape a length of 0.8mm wire
in half to form the 'mouth' of your mask. Leave
just enough wire to bend and secure around the edge
of the frame.
STEP 8
Cut a length of 0.4mm wire (long enough to bind
and stretch across the frame) and use one end to
bind the 'mouth' unit to the other side of the frame.
STEP 9 (Wiring in Nose & Eyes)
Cut more lengths of 0.4mm wire and secure
the nose/eye unit in place within the frame,
plus secure the base of the 'nose' to the centre
top of the mouth (leaving wires projecting out
on each side).
STEP 10 (Nostrils)
Curl tight spirals with the projecting wires and
flatten on each side of the nose, to create the
'nostrils'.
STEP 11 (Teeth)
Use the remaining 0.4mm wire leftover from
the 'mouth' binding, to thread with seed beads
and secure around the opposite side of the frame.
STEP 12 (Optional decoration)
This is where you can let your creative juices
flow! But, here are some of my suggestions!
Why not wire in more seed beads to add extra
colour? Or, perhaps ... add a couple of larger
beads, or semi-precious chips within the frame?
Or, create some wire shaped motifs to
fill in any gaps?
The options are, as always endless!
Et voila! Above, is my finished masked pendant!
I think it has a Japanese Samurai flavour.
However, many variations are possible using
this basic technique.
I hope that you will be inspired to have a go at
making your own, and if so, please DO share on
my FACEBOOK page, I would love to see your
designs!
HAPPY WIREWORKING!
