Valentine Heart Shaped Charm or Pendant

  The craft projects I've been doing lately have been centered around what I already have.  I have a large stash of beads and wire that I need to use instead of spending more money on accumulating more stuff to stash.  You know the feeling when you'll out and about and you come across stuff that strikes your fancy and you just can't do without. You say to yourself, I'm gonna make or do something with this.  Only, you don't have a clue as to what you're going to make and you just "stash" it away.  

Valentines Day is just around the corner and you can bewitch the object of your affection by making and wearing a bejeweled heart shaped charm or pendant. It is quite easy to make and you can be wearing it in no time!     










To make one, you will need:

20 gauge wire at least 9 inches long
1 large decorative bead
9 smaller beads 
Basic wire jewelry pliers


Hammer and a hard metal surface if you want to flatten the wire

Cut a 20 gauge wire  9 inches long                            

Fold it in half

Tighten the point

 

On one side of the wire place 1 large bead

On the opposite side, place several smaller beads of your choice.

Start by coiling the end of one of the wires with round nose pliers, leaving space between the layers.

Do the same thing for the opposite wire to form a heart shape. You might want to "re-shape" the heart at this point if it's out of form.

It takes practice to coil the wire around in a smooth pattern.  I didn't like the shape of the wire (too bumpy) that I practiced on so I used the barrel of a chunky pen (or mandrel) to wrap my wire around and then I used my round nose pliers to coil the ends into a little hook and went from there. Later, I found a very good tutorial here that I'm going to try.

 To make the wire sturdy so that the scroll will not uncoil,  temper the wire by hammering it on a flat hard metal surface, flattening it.(not shown in the photos)

And, you're done!

 Hang your finished heart from a chain, ribbon or decorative rope. If you like, you can add a jump ring to connect the necklace for a more finished look.

Another bead variation  .   .    .    I love the coiled little heart bead that I found at Michaels!

 

 You can become a "Valentine Sweetie" and make a loving, heart-felt statement by donning these easy to make charms and pendants!!!

           Have yourself a great  Happy Valentine’s Day!         

      
Take a little time to enjoy,

LINKING TO:  http://twosucculentsisters.blogspot.com/2013/01/finally-i-am-joining-our-party-giving.html?utm_source=BP_recent&utm-medium=gadget&utm_campaign=bp_recent

http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/pin-on-pinterest-now-happening-power-of-pinterest-party.html

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
 http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/wowuswednesdays

 

http://www.craftberrybush.com/2013/01/welcome-to-our-new-linky-party.html
http://www.craftberrybush.com/2013/01/welcome-to-our-new-linky-party.html