Silver flower necklaceAdd texture to tiny metal flowers for subtle results
by Naomi Fujimoto
Published: November 29, 2010 I love to layer metal flowers, but I never thought to texturize them until I saw these rivet earrings by The Beadin' Path's Ashley Bunting. I didn't rivet my flowers, but I enjoyed working with the metal in new ways. Hammering and curling the petals will give you different options — and of course you can always mix metals for more contrast. Assemble pairs (or singles) on a delicate chain and you'll have a quiet alternative to the statement necklace.
Supplies
• 8–10 13 mm metal flowers ($4 for 20)
• 5 3–4 mm round flat-back crystals (less than $1)
• 16–18 in. (41–46 cm) chain, 2–3 mm links ($3–4)
• 7 4 mm jump rings
• lobster claw clasp and soldered jump ring
• 2 pairs of pliers (including chainnose pliers)
• diagonal wire cutters
• bench block or anvil
• ball-peen hammer
• metal hole punch
• Gem-Tac
Metal flowers from The Beadin' Path, 877.922.3237. Hole-punch pliers from Jewelry Tools by Miland, 877.463.8046. Check your local bead store for supplies. To find the nearest store, visit beadshopfinder.com.
|
1. On a bench block or anvil, hammer a flower to flatten it. Use the ball end of the hammer to texturize the flower. Texturize four or five flowers.
|
2. On a texturized flower, use a hole punch to make a hole at the top of a petal.
|
3. On a flower without a hole in the petal, apply glue to a flat back and to the center of the flower. Press the flat back on the flower and allow to dry. Use chainnose pliers to bend the petals inward.
|
4a. Glue the flower from step 3 to the flower from step 2. Allow to dry.
4b. Repeat steps 2 to 4a, attaching pairs of flowers together as desired. (Note: When I layered two textured flowers, I didn't glue them; I punched a hole in one petal of each flower.)
|
5. Cut a piece of chain to the desired length. Open a jump ring (Basics). Attach one or two flowers and the center link of chain. Close the jump ring.
|
6. On each side, about 1 in. (2.5 cm) away, use a jump ring to attach one or two flowers. Repeat.
|
7. Check the fit and trim chain if necessary. On one end, use a jump ring to attach a lobster claw clasp. Repeat on the other end, substituting a soldered jump ring. *
|
|