Amanda Necklace
This dainty and delicate necklace was created as a coordinate for a bridesmaid's set — paired with our Amanda Earrings and Amanda Bracelet, it makes a fabulous jewelry ensemble. Worn alone, I think it's perfect for special occasions as well! Colors shown are Swarovski Colorado Topaz, Light Rose and Clear...use your own color theme for a prom or wedding party! If you are not comfortable with making wrapped loops, practice on craft wire before using sterling head pins. The style is similar to our Crystal Chain Y Necklace, but I think it's easier to make!
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Materials and tools
Sterling silver chain necklace (links must large enough to put jump rings through)
Seventeen sterling silver headpins (I used 24g, 2 inch pins)
26g sterling silver wire (half hard or dead soft)
Seven 4mm Colorado Topaz Swarovski bicones
Five 4mm Light Rose Swarovski bicones
Five 6mm top-drilled Clear crystal pendant
Thirteen 24g 2.5mm jump rings
Round nosed pliers
Chain nosed or bent nosed pliers
Flush cutters
Crimping pliers
Make twelve wrapped loop dangles using the 4mm crystals and headpins.
To make a wrapped loop dangle: Thread crystal or stone on headpin. Grasp the headpin with the smallest end of the round nosed pliers about 2mm above the top of the bead. This creates a short "neck" that you will wrap wire around. Bend the top of the pin away from you at a 45 degree angle. Using a chain nosed or bent nosed pliers, grasp the very end of the headpin (that is facing away from you), bring around the round nosed pliers, forming a loop. Wrap the headpin around the "neck" 2-3 times, taking care that each wrap is close to the previous wrap. When you reach the bottom of the "neck", stop winding and clip excess wire close to the last wrap. If a small tail sticks out, use the round hole in the crimping pliers to bring the tail in close to the last wrap.
Use the wrapped briolette technique to create five dangles with the 6mm crystal pendants and 26g wire.
Open all jump rings. Jump rings should always be opened by using two pliers and twisting one side away from you, and one side toward you. NEVER open jump rings by pulling the two ends straight apart from each other, you'll distort the shape of your ring.
To create the dangle pendant: Begin by stringing a clear dangle and one each of the pink and topaz dangles on one jump ring. Close the ring. Pick up a second jump ring, and string one each of the pink and topaz dangles on it, and attach to the ring that has the pink, topaz and clear dangle. Close the ring. Be sure the pink and topaz dangles are on opposite sides of the ring, not the same side. Pick up a third jump ring, and string one each of the pink and topaz dangles on it. Attach to the previous ring, being sure the dangles are hanging on opposite sides of the ring.
Find the center link of the necklace, and attach the dangle pendant using the open (top) ring jump ring. Move toward the clasp of the necklace four links and attach a topaz dangle using a jump ring. Be sure the dangle is attached to the bottom of the link (same side of the link as the pendant is attached to)! Skip four more links and add a clear dangle. Skip four more links and add a pink dangle. Skip four more links and add a clear dangle. Skip four more links and add a pink dangle. It's important that all the dangles are on the same "side" of the necklace so that they will hang correctly!
Turn the necklace around, and add the remaining dangles in the same pattern using jump rings.
