Wire Wrapped Pearls and Crystals

I got these really cute Swarovski 4mm Silver-Plated Channel Links in Light Rose and honestly had no idea what to do with them—but that happens a lot to me. I buy beads or findings because I like them and eventually an idea comes to me. I happened to have some Swarovski Crystallized pearls in soft pink and decided to put the two things together.

I decided to wire wrap the pearls and use the wire as a way to join them with the crystals.  I made a bracelet with matching earrings. The result is delicate but elegant. I sell a lot of my jewelry—but this went right in my own jewelry box.

I’ll provide directions below and all the way down are pictures of the finished product.

How to Wrap a Pearl

Supplies needed: 2 inch long eye pins, 4mm crystallized pearls, channel links, clasp.

1. Put the pearl on the eye pin.

2. Bend the wire at a 90 degree angle giving yourself a bit of room between the pearl and the bend. It’s a matter of preference. I like about 1/4 inch.

3. Bend the wire towards you using looping pliers making a circle.

4.  Take one of the channel links and put it on the loop.

5.  Once you bend the wire into a circle, wrap it once around the wire so you close the loop. Make sure it’s tight against the wire before you start to wrap the pearl.

5. Continue wrapping the wire around the pearl. This is not difficult but it does take practice to get the look that you want. The idea is to wrap the wire around the pearl until it meets the bottom loop.

Use your fingers as much as possible, but don’t be afraid to use your pliers for extra oomph. ;)  If you have a bit left over that you cannot wrap, take your cutters and snip the end. Use a file to make it smooth.

 

 

Thanks to my friends at Artbeads.com for the great products. 

• Swarovski Elements
• Swarovski Pearls

Full Disclosure: Many of the beads you see below are from Artbeads.com.  Some of the items I had on hand but all the pretty stuff is from them. To be clear; they gave me the beads so I would create and then write. Nothing really very sinister but I need to tell you this all upfront so none of us gets into trouble.