Loops & Washers Necklace
We love the flat ceramic glazed Washer Beads by North Carolina ceramic artist Elaine Ray - they are so interesting with their glazed edges and (in some cases) Elaine’s fingerprints. The circular shape is also very appealing.
This necklace is a fun play on the geometry of the washers, large thick jump rings and loops of SoftFlex wire. The wire is colored a lovely russet red and it plays off the glazes and the copper. The loops of wire are light weight and they flip and move with the design. The design initially used crimps and crimp covers to finish the dangling loops of SoftFlex, but the weight of the crimp covers made them all fall to the bottom of the necklace. The design looks much better without them!
Finished length is about 18 inches.
Ingredients:
- Soft Flex wire in Coral (Elegant Trio pack), 90 inches
- Elaine Ray washer beads in Parakeet (3), Leaf (3), Orange (3), Cherry (3)
- 1 antique copper spring ring clasp, 9 mm
- 2 antique copper knot covers
- 14 copper crimps, size 1
- 12 antique copper jump rings, 11 mm
- 3 inches antique copper extender chain
Tools:
- Chain nose pliers
- Scissors
This necklace is a fun play on the geometry of the washers, large thick jump rings and loops of SoftFlex wire. The wire is colored a lovely russet red and it plays off the glazes and the copper. The loops of wire are light weight and they flip and move with the design. The design initially used crimps and crimp covers to finish the dangling loops of SoftFlex, but the weight of the crimp covers made them all fall to the bottom of the necklace. The design looks much better without them!
Finished length is about 18 inches.
Ingredients:
- Soft Flex wire in Coral (Elegant Trio pack), 90 inches
- Elaine Ray washer beads in Parakeet (3), Leaf (3), Orange (3), Cherry (3)
- 1 antique copper spring ring clasp, 9 mm
- 2 antique copper knot covers
- 14 copper crimps, size 1
- 12 antique copper jump rings, 11 mm
- 3 inches antique copper extender chain
Tools:
- Chain nose pliers
- Scissors
Make Loops
Cut 12-3 inch sections of Soft Flex. Create loops with the wire and secure the loops with crimps. Set loops aside.
Add Beads
Using your chain nose pliers open an 11 mm jump ring and thread it through one of the Elaine Ray washer beads and through one of the Soft Flex loops. Close securely. Repeat with all washer beads and Soft Flex loops. Set beads aside.
Thread Beads Onto Soft Flex
Cut 3-18 inch sections of Soft Flex. Thread the Elaine Ray washer beads onto the grouped Soft Flex strands. Pay attention to the order of the beads. Line up the ends of the three strands and slide them through a knot cover. Fit the wire ends into a single crimp and flatten the crimp very tightly. Using your chain nose pliers close the knot cover over the flattened crimp. Repeat this at the other end of the wires.
Finish Necklace
Using your chain nose pliers attach the clasp to one of the knot covers. Open the oval jump ring with your chain nose pliers and attach the extender chain to the other knot cover.