The North Star - Necklace

As seen in Rings & Things ad series and the 2010 Super Supplement
Created by: Mollie Valente

1 #21-646-034 35mm gemstone donut, picture jasper
3 #21-647-034 15mm gemstone donuts, picture jasper
1 pkg #55-000-01 Tim Holtz® idea-ology™ sprocket gears, antiqued metals
(Refer to image for 4 specific sprockets used)
1 pkg #55-000-04 Tim Holtz idea-ology swivel clasps, antiqued metals
1 #49-947-44-7 13mm TierraCast® Hammertone round link, antiqued copper plate
1 #64-980-24 24-gauge sheet, copper (one 5/16"x3" piece)
1 #44-409-0 12mm star charm, raw brass
6 #26-804 3x4mm faceted rectangle beads, brass
18" #40-099-21-6 4.8mm flattened drawn cable chain, (two 9" pieces) antiqued brass plate
10" #40-099-23-7 11mm rollo chain, antiqued copper plate
1 #37-145-6 6mm round jump ring, antiqued brass plate
8 #37-167-6 8mm round jump rings, antiqued brass plate
15 #37-178-6 10mm round jump rings, antiqued brass plate
1 solid brass bolt from hardware store (#4-40)
3 solid brass nuts from hardware store (#4-40, 2 nuts are hidden inside)

Tools and supplies: flat-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers, flush cutters, Wubbers™ bail-making pliers (#69-275-21),metal stamping supplies (see metal stamping technique sheet), 2-hole punch (#69-235), bead reamer (#69-058) 17734, 1/8" letter stamps (#69-241-01), liver of sulfur (#86-354),screwdriver

TIPS:
* Create a bail using a 5/16"x3" piece of 24-gauge copper sheet. Cut, file, stamp, punch and ream the holes a bit larger. Use bail-making pliers (#69-275-21) 21004 to bend the stamped piece into a bail (dead center so the holes line up). Patina after bending.

* Glue the smaller of the sprockets onto the larger of the sprockets; carefully centering the
design. Let the glue dry. Assemble on the bolt in this order: sprockets, bail, hidden nut (tighten), second hidden nut, donut, second side of bail, sprockets, nut. Center everything on the donut and tighten with a screwdriver.

* Create gemstone and donut chainmaille. Add four 10mm jump rings to each donut. Connect two per side with 8mm jump rings. Use 8mm jump rings on the ends.

* The clasp is on the side of the necklace. The pendant is centered when the end links on the antiqued copper chain line up.

See our printer friendly designer tip sheet and the Techniques for Creating a Stamped Metal Charm for metal stamping hints and our Basic Jewelry-making Technique Sheet for tips on working with jump rings.

To view our jewelry-making technique sheets (PDF files), you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download it free here.

View more Necklace design ideas, or post questions on the Rings & Things Discussion Forum. Don't be shy! If you're wondering, so is someone else!

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