Tube & Wire Pendant

by Katherine
(St. Louis MO USA)

This tube and wire pendant started with a piece of copper ice-maker tubing, some 12 gauge copper electrical wire (both available at the home improvement store), copper artistic wire, and Czech glass beads (both from the bead store).

The tube is strung onto the electrical wire and then the electrical wire is bent into shape using fingers and pliers. It's all freehand, but just make sure to make a bail loop the appropriate size for the necklace you plan to use.

Finally, select one wire to accent with beads. Then cut a piece of artistic wire and begin wrapping the bigger wire, adding beads along the way - just be careful not to kink the artistic wire or the beads won't slip on and the wire won't lie smooth. Use pliers to crimp down any loose ends of artistic wire and use fine sandpaper to buff out any scratches or nicks. I have no problem with my copper wire pieces turning. I just wash my jewelry regularly using a few drops of dish washing liquid and a squirt of lemon juice from the plastic lemon and then rinse with warm water.