Tutorial: Wire-Wrapped Bird's Nest Necklace

This tutorial will not only show you how to make the ever-popular Wire-Wrapped Bird's Nest Necklace, but will also show how to add other components for the different looks shown below!!

Supplies

3 Yards of 24g wire

3-4 Pearls or beads

Jewelry pliers

Jump-ring(s)

Step 1: FORM NEST BASE

Thread your pearls or beads onto your wire. 

Slide them about 8 inches down the wire.

Form a circle so the wire crosses as shown above.

Using the 8 inches of wire on the end, form the base of the nest by wrapping the wire up the edge of one pearl/bead and under the next, up the edge, and under, up, under, etc. until you've used the entire 8 inches of wire.

Step 2: WRAP NEST

Wrap the longer length of wire around the nest repeatedly until you have about 1 yard of wire remaining.

Notes: 

I actually prefer to not look at the nest when doing this step because it's easier and the nest turns out more random and natural looking.

Don't wrap your wire tightly around the beads because you'll want the extra "slack" to add kinks later.  Plus it makes for a fuller looking nest.

Add a few coils under the nest and then go back to wrapping the outside.

Continue wrapping the outside of the pearls/beads until you have about 2 feet of wire left.

Step 3: SECURE WIRES

Thread the wire between two pearls/beads going from the inside toward the outside of the nest. 

Wrap the wire around this part of the nest 3-5 times to hold the wires in place.

If you prefer to only have one "loop section" you can skip to Step 4.

Go between the next two pearls/beads and make another "loop section".

Make "loop sections" for the remaining spaces between the pearls/beads.

Step 4: BURY WIRE ENDS

Thread the remaining wire around the nest, making sure to go through the wire "loop sections" and not around them.

Tuck the end deep inside the nest so they won't poke anyone.

 Step 5: ADD TEXTURE TO NEST

 Using round-nose pliers, grip individual wires and add kinks in random directions.

This will give the nest a more natural look.

Note: If you're having a hard time getting a grip on particular wires, use a pair of tweezers to wedge it so you can grip it with your pliers.

Continue adding kinks around the entire necklace until you're satisfied with it's appearance.

 Step 6: ADD JUMP RING & RIBBON

Add a jump-ring around one of your "looped sections".

Note: I added a second jump-ring so the necklace wouldn't twist.

Thread a 30 inch length of organza ribbon through the jump-ring and you're...

FINISHED!!

Version 1: BIRD CHARM

Just add a bird charm to your necklace ribbon so it dangles near the nest.

Version 2: CHAIN & CHARMS

Put the nest on the end of a 1-2 inch chain.

Add a bird charm and bead charms to chain and necklace ribbon.

Version 3: CONNECTORS & CHARM

Using beads on eye pins and decorative connectors, allow your nest to hang about 2 inches below your necklace ribbon where you can add a bird charm.

Version 4: CONNECTORS, CHAIN, & RIBBON

Add jump-rings to 2 "loop sections".

One one side add a bird connector and on the other add 2 smaller connectors.

Add equal lengths of chain to both sides.

If your chain is shorter than you want the necklace to be, add ribbon to each end for added length.

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

I've submitted this tutorial to the...

Tutorial: Beaded Ornament Hooks

I'm super excited about this Beaded Ornament Hook tutorial!!  They're functional and gorgeous too, not to mention super quick and easy to make!!

Step 1: GATHER SUPPLIES

8"+ length of 20g wire

Round & needle nose pliers

Assorted beads

Bic or Sharpie marker

Step 2: FORM HOOK

At one end of your wire make a loop with your round nose pliers.

Wrap the wire around the marker's cap once.

Bend the wire downward as shown above.

Step 3: ADD BEADS

Add approximately 1" of beads.

Step 4: FORM BOTTOM SPIRAL

 Bend the wire at a 90-degree angle.

 Wrap the wire around the marker cap 2 or more times.

Using your round nose pliers form into a spiral.

Trim off any excess wire.

FINISHED!!

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

Tutorial: Quick (PB Knock-Off) Bottle Ornament

This post is a day late since I was having camera difficulties.  Don't worry!! You're still going to get today's tutorial too so there will actually be 2 tutorials published today!!  This is the first, and the second will be published a bit later.  Thanks for your patience!! 

I saw this PB ornament on Pinterest last week and just knew I could make my own version!!

Today, I'll show you how to make MY version of this bottle ornament!!

Step 1: GATHER SUPPLIES

- 2"-4" tall glass bottle with cork

- Three 12"-15" lengths of 24-28 gauge wire
- Sheet music
- Small beads
- Needle-nose pliers

 Step 2: "MAKE" WIRE

Make "Knot"

Twist one end of the 3 wires together into a ball.

Twist Wire 

Grip the "knot" with one pair of pliers.

Using another pair of needle-nose pliers, grip the 3 wires about 1" away from the "knot"

Twist the wire to get desired look.

Note: To twist the wire faster, turn both pairs of pliers in opposite directions.  Be careful to not twist too much, because the wire will break at some point!

Step 3: ADD WIRE TO BOTTLE

I drew the diagram below to show how I was able to add the side loops on the bottle.

Add Side Loops to Bottle

Using the diagram above (or your own method) create two loops on the side of the bottle that will attach the bottle to the wire hanger.

Add Top Hanger

Make a loop at the end of your remaining wire.

Attach it to one of the side loops on the bottle.

Create the desired hanger appearance.

Make a loop at that will properly fit into the other side loop.

Clip off any extra wire.

Step 4: FILL BOTTLE

Tear a small part of your sheet music into 2 strips that will fit through the top of the bottle.

Place the 2 strips with the "nice" sides facing out and put the them in the bottle.

Pour the small beads into the bottle.

Note: Make sure you get beads on both sides of the sheet music and even a little in between if possible.

FINISHED!!

Wasn't that super quick and easy?!?  I may be biased but I think my bottle ornament turned out better than the PB one!! hehehe

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Tree of Life Ornament Versions

I just wanted to take a moment to share a couple versions of my Tree of Life Ornament from Cut Out + Keep members. They each used my tutorial on Cut Out + Keep to make their versions.

Cut Out + Keep member, Ashendove, made this 2" Tree of Life pendant using brass wire and amber colored beads. I love how she combined the larger chips with the smaller beads. The color is great too!

Rae, another member of Cut Out + Keep, made this 2" Tree of Life pendant using copper wire. I think she did a great job creating a natural-looking tree with the wire.

If you've made a Tree of Life using my tutorial from my blog, or any other projects I've posted here, send me a picture and I'll feature it in a future update!

Tutorial: Wire-Wrapped Tree of Life Ornament

This tutorial will show you, in detail, how to create the wire-wrapped Tree of Life Ornament shown in the image above.

The other tutorials I've found online have been very basic and left a lot of unanswered questions. My goal with these instructions is to be very thorough, yet easy to understand.

At the end I will explain the adjustments that are necessary for a pendant instead of an ornament.

Let's get started!

Step 1: First, gather all of the supplies you'll need for the project. You'll want to get the following items:

*6mm beads and smaller, including seed beads (see next image)

*A 4-inch metal ring

*Two (2) pairs of needle nose pliers

*A pair of wire cutting pliers

*Twelve (12) 12-inch strands of 24-gauge wire

This photo shows the variety of beads used for this particular

ornament, including the following:

4mm pearls, 4mm glass rectangle beads, 2 sizes of seed beads, 4mm crystals, 6mm & 4mm faceted glass rounds, and 6mm shaped glass beads.

Step 2: Take one strand of the wire and thread it through the wire ring, making sure the 2 sides are even. Wrap each side around the ring twice for a total of four coils. Make sure they are pulled tight around the ring. See image.

Step 3: Repeat step 2 with the remaining 11 wires. Pull all wires to one side of the ring and verify the coils are nice and tight and close together.

Step 4: Start on one side of the wires and begin braiding the first 3 strands. You'll want to create a braid that is approximately 1-inch. Once braided, flip up and move on to the next 3 strands. Continue this process until all wires have been braided. You should end up with 8 braids.

Step 5: Gather the braids as shown in this photo and begin to twist them together.

Step 6: Twist up a little ways until you're ready to separate your first branch. Take 2-4 strands, depending on how thick you want this branch to be, and separate it from the group of wires.

Step 7: Repeat Step 6 until you have the beginnings of a tree with many branches and all of your wires have been used. Personally, I like to split my tree in two at some point and then separate the branches again.

Step 8: Now twist these branches, just like you did the big group of wires, but don't twist them to the ring...yet. You'll want to also start breaking your larger branches into smaller ones. See the picture for ideas on how to break down branches. This is when you'll need to twist the branches to within about 1/4"-1/2" from the ring.

Step 9: Separate the individual wires and make sure they are some-what distributed evenly around the ring. NOTE: If you've twisted the wires too far, do not un-twist them! They will probably break later on! Instead put bends in the branches; this use more wire and pull them towards the center of the ring. (see the final image to see how I did this.)

Step 10: Add a bead or beads to the first wire next to the roots. Wrap the wire around the ring once (see image).

Step 11: Add another bead to this wire. Wrap again and add another bead. This is to cover the ring from view and make it appear to just be beads. Finish this branch by wrapping it around the ring 3 times, clip off the excess, and pinch tight with pliers.

Step 12: Repeat Step 11 for the remaining wires on this branch. Push the finished section tight against the roots. This will make room for the rest of your branches.

Step 13: Repeat steps 11 and 12 on the other side of the roots. Continue repeating these two steps, changing sides after each branch.

Step 14: Continue this process for the rest of your branches and remember to push them tight against the roots. The last couple branches will be the most difficult because you'll be running out of room on your ring, but this is good because you'll have a nice full tree.

OPTIONS:

1. Pendant Size Tree: If you need to make a smaller Tree of Life for a pendant or even a tiny one for earrings, you'll simply want to use a smaller ring and also decrease the number of wires used. Just remember, you'll always want to have a multiple of three (3, 6, 9...) because you'll be braiding the roots of the tree.

2. Adding charms: If you'd like to add charms to your tree, just add them while your twisting the branches or before you add beads to the branch, depending on where you want the charm to hang.

3. Fuller Trees: If you prefer the fuller looking trees, don't twist the branches as close to the edge as I did here. You're beads will then thread closer to the center of the tree and it will appear fuller. The style in this tutorial is just a personal preference of appearance.

EDIT (Dec. 6, 2011)

Where can I get the 4-inch metal rings? 

I know Hobby Lobby carries them and possibly JoAnn's.  You'll need to look in the leather crafts department, not the jewelry section!!  The rings are actually sold for making dream-catchers and you can find them in a wide range of sizes.  I haven't had luck finding more silver ones, but I can always find gold-tone rings.

New Tree of Life Ornament Pictures!!  

I made these two ornaments for a friend yesterday and wanted to point out the difference between the one in the tutorial and these two.  I've really started to add more character and detail to the branches.  You'll also be able to notice that I've filled out the tree a bit more to really cover the ring.  I really like these recent changes and I hope you'll consider incorporating them into your ornaments too!!

I've submitted this tutorial to the...