Circle of Life Pendant

Go into any jewelry store and you'll see circle pendants everywhere. While most manufactured circle pendants use diamonds or other clear stones, you can make Beading Help Web's version in any color of the rainbow! All you need is a sterling frame, tiny beads and sterling wire to wrap the beads.

Level: Intermediate

Materials
16g sterling silver wire, dead soft round or square
2-3mm beads, approximately 13-15 beads
26g sterling silver wire, dead soft round
Round nosed or stepped pliers
Nylon jawed pliers
Ring mandrel, dowel or other item to form circle

Step 1 Cut one length of 16g wire 3 inches long. File both ends so they are flat and smooth. Using a round nosed or stepped pliers, make a 4mm closed loop at both ends. Use a nylon-jawed pliers to turn the loops so they are at a 90 degree angle.

Step 2 Form the 16g wire around a ring mandrel or dowel in the shape of a circle, with the loops meeting together. Optional: Use a small hammer and steel block or anvil to lightly hammer and work harden your circle. If I am using round wire, I do like to have it slightly flattened to make the wrapping easier.

Step 3 Cut approximately 3 feet of 26g wire from spool. Begin at one of the loops (on the circle) and wrap tightly three times, leaving approximately 1/2 inch wire tail. The wraps must be tight on the circle, and tight against each other.

Step 4 String one bead on the wire, and position on the circle. Position the tail of the wire behind the bead (on the opposite side of the circle) and hold in place. Make three tight wraps, wrapping the tail under the wire on the back side of the circle.

Step 5

String one bead on the wire, position and continue with three tight wraps. Make sure as you position the bead that you are moving it as close to the previous bead as possible.

Repeat Step 5 until you have covered the entire circle with beads. After the last wrap, carefully pull the end of the wire back through the last bead and wrap tightly again.

Your pendant is now ready to be hung on a simple chain or ribbon, or make a beaded necklace to hang it from.

The Finished Product
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