Hammered Brass and Brown Malachite Opera Necklace
Designed by Kristin Burgess

Hammered Brass Chain handmade in Bali paired with our vermeil brushed rounds and brown malachite stones are sure to make a dramatic statement this Season.  Perfect over a thick chunky sweater or longer tunic-style shirt this new textured chain is just plain yummy!  Enjoy making this wire-work project that you can do in under an hour.  Top it off with creating the Golden Hoop Pizazz Earrings which also featuring the matching 14kt vermeil brushed rounds and chain used in the necklace.





Step 1:
This necklace is long enough so that a clasp is not necessary.  For design purposes you could add a clasp (perhaps a toggle) but it is not neccessary with this opera-length as you can easily place this lengthier necklace right over your head.  Three feet is neccessary to complete the length of the necklace and you will have some links leftover for the Golden Hoop Pizazz Earrings.  The finished piece is just under 36 inches long. The instructions below are to make that length but you could easily go shorter or longer by increasing or decreasing the length of the chain sections we will cut next.




Step 2:
Begin by cutting the following sections of chain.  Each chain link cut will not be used in the finished piece, it is compromised.  Linking wire to chain that is closed or sautered shut makes for a sounder and stronger finished necklace.  You will want to cut each of these sections using wire snips:  Section one 15 links; Section two 8 links; Section three 4 links; Section four 6 links; Section five 14 links; Section six 5 links; Section seven 3 links. 





Step 3:
With your seven chain sections cut you are ready to start the linking portion of this project.  Your roundnose pliers and chainnose pliers along with the wire side cutter are used to create the links.  The Beadin' Path hosts a wire-linking class that I teach in store or reference the All Wired Up book by Mark Lareau mentioned in the materials list above if you have not made wire links before.  I prefer using the coiled link technique when making a secure attachment of the beads between the chain sections cut.  When making your loop use the thickest part of the roundnose tool.  This is necessary if you want your links to fit easily onto the thickness of the finished chain links.  You will want to prep your 22 gauge 14kt gold fill soft wire by cutting 1 foot from spool and using the nylon jaw pliers to pre-harden your wire.  Run the tool down the wire 15-20 times.  Your wire will heat up during this process and this will help the wire to maintain it's shape better over time.

Step 4:  
The first link to make connects the first cut section of chain to the second cut section and will include 1 metal heishi flower, one brown malachite oval and another heishi flower. 
The second link to make will connect section two chain to section three chain and will include 1 metal heishi flower, 1 vermeil round and another heishi flower.  The third link to make connects the third cut section of chain to the fourth cut section and will include 1 metal heishi flower, one brown malachite oval and another heishi flower.  The fourth link to make connects the fourth cut section of chain to the fifth cut section and will include 1 metal heishi flower, 1 vermeil round and another heishi flower.  The fifth link to make connects the fifth cut section of chain to the sixth cut section and will include 1 metal heishi flower, one brown malachite oval and another heishi flower.  The sixth link to make connects the sixth cut section of chain to the seventh cut section (and final section) and will include 1 metal heishi flower, 1 vermeil round and another heishi flower.  


Step 5: 
 The final link will connect the two ends of chain together thus finishing the linking of the necklace.   Before that final link is made pick up one end of the necklace and allow it to dangle and right itself out.  Similar to fixing a twisted phone cord, you will want the necklace to unwind itself until it doesn't spin and the links are hanging properly and not twisted or caught up.  The final link will include 1 metal heishi flower, one brown malachite oval and another heishi flower.  This final link connects either end of the necklace pulling it into it's round form.  Now the necklace is complete.  Check out the Golden Pizazz Earrings that match perfectly with this necklace!