Tutorial: Necklace using chain and ribbon

I created a tutorial for using ribbons and chain in a piece of jewelry. A suggestion that was left by Mel Mel in the comments from the Bird bead giveaway a couple of weeks ago. This is a really simple necklace. I've photographed each step. Let me know if you have any issues or questions.


What you need: 1 polymer clay pendant, the one I used is from Heather Wynn. You can use anything coin shaped that is top-drilled.
18 inches of copper chain
18 inches of pale purple silk cord
18 inches of multi colored silk ribbon
2- 4" pieces of copper wire (22g) - I used darkened wire, you don't have to.
2 copper jump rings (7mm)
1 copper toggle clasp
4 copper head pins
4 beads in coordinating colors ( I used crystal and glass)
4 copper seed beads




Let's get started:
1. You are going to start out by attaching 1 end of the 2 silk ribbons to one of the copper jump rings.













2. You'll need the 2 sections of copper wire. String the ends of the ribbons through one of the jump rings. Slide the jump ring up the ribbon about 1- 1-1/2 inches.







3. Fold the ribbon over like this, and hold it with one hand.










4. Take a piece of copper wire. Hold the end of it in the same hand, grasping it tightly.









5. Start wrapping the wire around and around the ribbon right below the jump ring, like so. Make sure to overlap the end of the wire that you are holding. You'll wrap it about 3 or 4 times.











6. Now you'll have this. 2 tails of wire to deal with.













7. Snip the wire that is coming out of the center of the wrap, with wire cutters, keeping very close to wrap.











8. And wrap the other tail around and try to tuck the end in a little, with your chain nose pliers.












9. String the pendant onto the pale purple silk cording. A trick I use, is to use a small piece of wire to push the cording all the way through the drilled hole so it helps guide it all the way.












10. String the pendant down to the middle of the cording.














11. Repeat steps and wire wrap the other end of ribbons onto the second jump ring.










12. Now what you have, will look like this.













13. To add the chain, open the jump rings and slip the end link onto the ring, and close the jump ring tightly.












14. Repeat on the other end.













15. I added some embellishments. You don't have to, but if you like how that looks, you'll need 4 head pins, 4 copper seed beads, and 4 coordinating beads.








16. String 1 copper seed bead, and 1 faceted bead onto a head pin. Start the wire wrap ...












17. But first, attach it to the chain- I attached this first bead to the center of the chain and then added other beads to either side of it.
Wrap the loop. Repeat with the other 3 beads.









18. You'll attach each of the beads about 1 link away from each other, like this.







19. Now you'll have something that looks like this.












20. To add the toggle clasp, open the jump ring and attach one end of the clasp. Open the opposite jump ring and attach to the toggle end of the clasp. Close each jump ring tightly.












21. Here is the clasp attached.









And VOILA! You have yourself a 3 stranded necklace that incorporates chain, ribbon, copper, wire, and polymer clay! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! It was fun to make. I really came up with the design on the fly. I'd love to do more tutorials. Any suggestions, feel free to leave comments on this post!

Comments

  1. Thank you very much Lorelei for this tutorial!!!

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  2. Thanks for these tutorials Lorelei, great idea.

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  3. I haven't had a chance yet to go through this tutorial in detail yet, but be assured that I will. Thank you so much - this is just the kind of thing I am looking for and interested in.

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  4. This is great! Now I've got a new idea on how to attach ribbon. Usually I use the special ribbon end findings, but this looks so much more handmade!

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  5. Thanks, Lorelei! The tutorial is great, very clear with lots of detail. Being a visual learner, all those pics make this easy to follow.

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  6. Wonderful tutorial! I'm always worried about using ribbon because I wasn't sure of the best way to secure the ends to the clasp. You've answered that for me! And ribbon comes in colors of the rainbow so the options are endless. Thanks so much for the lesson my friend!

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  7. Nice job Lorelei!
    Now...when is YOUR book coming out? I think you are on your way!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  8. Great tutorial, L. Your pictures are right on! Lovely necklace, too!

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  9. Great tutorial - great necklace - thanks for this!!!

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  10. Wow, another great tutorial, can't wait to try this (hopefully tonight)! :)

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  11. Thank you for both the great tutorials. I can't wait to try them out. Tesori Trovati was right - you should do a book.

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  12. Why are you not submitting these for publication???!!

    Great job - thanks for sharing.

    PS - With all the pieces you've made, YOU certainly could have a book all my yourself! .... there is self publishing....

    sandi

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  13. oops....BY yourself...

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  14. Great tutorial and cute necklace! I usually use ribbon clamps or cord ends when I do this type of design, but I like the more organic look of the wrapped wire so I'll have to try that sometime.

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  15. Anonymous10/27/2009

    Love your tutorials and your new bannner! Thanks for sharing this info.

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  16. Hmmm! I love it! Thanks so much for sharing! Great step by step photos! I agree with the other comments too, you absolutely should do your own book!

    Love your new banner also! Super chic colors!

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  17. Hi Lorelei,

    Love the tute and the new banner. I wanted to tell you I blogged about my win of Monday (GGS) and linked back to you. I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoy your blogs, your tutorials, and your generosity. Thank you, my friend.

    Emanda
    ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

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  18. Love tutorials. Looks like you are a copper junky too. The warmth and freedom of copper is wonderful. Great pictures too!
    Lois
    Come join http://copperwirejewelers.ning.com

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  19. Mel Mel10/29/2009

    OMG!!!!!! I can't believe you mentioned me on your blog. I am in Heaven. I have been going on non stop to my friends about it. They just laugh at me, they think i'm such a goober!! ( of course they're right, I admit that I am! ) You'd have thought that i had just won the lottery. Your like a rockstar! No, better than that, your like an Acadamy Award winner, Your the Meryl Streep of the bead world. Thank you for the great tutorials. I love them both, your designs are the best. May I admire you again tomorrow? Mel Mel

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  20. Hey Mel!
    I'm so glad to hear that this type of tut is helpful for you!
    I hope to do more of them!

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  21. Hi Lorelei,
    I just discovered your blog the other day and have had a wonderful time looking at your creations. I especially like your bird-themed jewelry.

    I'm just a beginner to jewelry making, and I love finding interesting tutorials like this. Using ribbon in jewelry is something I haven't seen before. I really like the look it gives a piece; I'll have to try it out sometime.

    Something I've been having trouble with and would love to see a tutorial on is the use of different kinds of wires - like what sizes are better for different things, like bead links and clasps and such...I don't know if that made sense.

    Your blog is definitely going on my list of interesting sites to check up on often. :)

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  22. Are the pictures no longer available for this tute? The necklace sounds awesome & I'd really like to see what it looks like! thanks!

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