Wiring Polymer Clay Beads to be Used as Interchangeable Pendants
"My biggest problem is figuring out how to put beads together in a finished project."
~Anna-S
Polymer clay beads wired up like the one in the photo are great for using as "links" in certain types of "chunky" jewelry. However, I am actually using this lively Gerbera Flower bead as a simple pendant, all by itself.
It is hung from a dark bronze chain with 2 hand wrapped hooks made from 20 gauge copper wire (same wire used on the bead). I'll show you the chain and hooks in a future post if you are interested.
Recently, I've been wiring up several of my beads this way, with a copper wire loop on either side. This way I can switch out different beads, but still use the same chain each time. Kind of an interchangeable thing. I tend to wear these pendants and the chain more than anything else. They are casual, funky and match everything.
I've always been a fan of jewelry that can be worn different ways. Way back around Christmas last year, I made a convertible necklace for my mom that could be worn as a long necklace, two short necklaces or as two bracelets. All with a removable pendant.
Thanks for this photo of your "Convertible Necklace" and for letting us see it in more detail. It is so interesting to look at with a lot of texture and fun details. I have not made any convertible jewelry yet, but will surely do so in the future now that you have brought the idea to my attention. Thanks, Cindy. Hugs to you. ~Cindy-E
You may have noticed that lately I've been posting a lot of pictures of different ways to use the beads, canes and wire work that is being taught in the weekly video tutorials. Please let me know if this is helpful for you guys.
Also let me know if there are specific projects from past tutorials that you would like me to show as jewelry in future posts. I'll do my best to work your requests into the publishing schedule.
Filed Under: 11: Bead Projects by Comment. 
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Comments on Wiring Polymer Clay Beads to be Used as Interchangeable Pendants
7:13 am
Love it!! Please show us the chain at some point. I would love to see the complete piece. As far as continuing to demonstrate different ways to use beads, canes etc., those among us who are design challenged (namely, me lol) really benefit from your taking what you teach us one step further. As always, thank you for what you do.
7:44 am
Cindy, I think we are connected on the same brain wave. Just last night I was sitting cutting my Gerbera flower cane I made and thinking how do I want to use these with beads. I made some cool leaves I learned from you. LOL We need to work together to figure out some lottery numbers.
10:02 am
I love that idea! I can't even type anymore… I'm typeless because I love that idea so much…. My mind is reeling with the possibilities!!!
10:05 am
Thanks for the feedback guys!
@Anna: I am amazed by how connected we all are. It's weird, I'll be thinking about a new idea or a solution to a problem and the inspiration or answer comes out of nowhere. It's cool really!
6:54 pm
Yes, do show us how you use the beads. I love to see different ways.
7:10 pm
My biggest challenge is trying to find all these free recipies everyone is talking about. I tried finding the metallic recipies. Nothing. I missed every challenge that was offered. I read every EMail from Cindy and even save them for weeks. Now there's a new challenge and I can't find that one. I read everything I can find. I just finished setting up the recipies that I have on cardstock and see that I missed the challenge for recipies that will never be on line again. I bought back-videos to learn more and and made skinner roses. I guess I just can't keep up with everything. I love being a member on this site. What am I doing wrong? Oops, see ya. Have to get going to buy some Studio by Sculpy. Oh, some copper wire in Home Depot and don't forget the Flecto Varathane. I'm having a ball here!!!!!! Help me find my free recipies, pleeeeease? I wish I was Cindy, Superwoman!!!!!
7:48 pm
You are very fun Helen. All of the links to the "B-Series" free recipes are in the emails I send out each Friday. If you have been saving those emails, you will be able to go back to them and click on the download links.
10:45 am
Cindy, I also wish I had some of your energy and artistic abilities. I have been wanting to start working with wire. My problem is I never know what size to use where. Do you know of a site or book that would help in that area. And yes the more you show us the better. I have never been even a little disappointed in any lesson. When I joined within I think a week or two I purchased all the back lessons. I still go thru them and I still get more inspired every time I watch each and every one of them. I don't think you could ever disappoint any of us with a lesson, tip, comment any suggestion of any kind. Not me anyway.
Love ever ounce of your artistic abilities. You don't do this just for the money or you would charge way more and give way less. I might not be able to even begin to keep up with you either but I sure have fun trying and love what I do accomplish thanks to YOU CINDY
7:25 pm
Aww Peggy. You are so sweet! You have not only made my day, you have made my whole year! Thank you for being you!
As far as a book on wire sizes, I don't know any off hand that I can recommend. I'll keep trying to teach you guys more about wire and the sizes and hopefully that will help. If I come across something that will help, I will let you know.
12:38 pm
Cindy: Assuming one is a paid member, can the videos be copied onto a CD? My internet computer is in a different room than my craft room. I have a computer in there with a cd drive. Could I copy the video onto a cd, then view it in there where I'm actually working?
Thanks.
1:20 pm
Brenda – In regards to saving the videos to onto a CD, it is not possible at this time. I'm using a "streaming" video file format that makes it possible for most everyone around the world to watch on most any kind of computer. To make the videos 'saveable', I would need to create a second type of video file format that works on iPods and such. It's on my list of things to do… if only there were more hours in the day to get everything done as quick as I would like :)
FYI: If you follow the "Polymer Clay Tutorial" link by my name, it will take you to the comments section of another article where Peggy and Helen discuss a similar situation of not having a computer and internet access in their craft rooms. There are some ideas there that may be helpful for you Brenda.