Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill. Today, I thought I'd share a great new metalworking pattern from one of our contributors, Helen Driggs called the Beaded Chevron Pendant.
Beaded Chevron Pendant
by Helen I. Driggs
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Filing / Finishing, Hole Punching, Drilling
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Today, I thought I'd share a great new metalworking pattern from one of our contributors, Helen Driggs called the Beaded Chevron Pendant. I know you're going to love it!

I created this easy assembled pendant as a way for my beginning metal students to become comfortable with measuring, drilling, and weaving with small sections of patterned metal and very thin gauge wire. Take your time with the measuring and the drilling, because the more patience you have, the better your results will be. I left the pendant with a shiny finish, but you could patinate it before assembly if desired.

Materials

Daisy Chain Red Brass Pattern Wire - 3 Feet
H25-3F
  • Lesson Quantity: 4.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.23
  • Gold Club Price: $9.92
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28 Gauge Round Half Hard Red Brass Wire
H3-28H
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $0.76
  • Gold Club Price: $0.57
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Beads
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Gold Filled Charm Flat Hammered Round 8mm - Pack of 1
J1-43
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.17
  • Gold Club Price: $1.63
Out of Stock
Gold Filled Jump Ring Closed 10mm 18ga - Pack of 2
J11-170
  • Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
  • Price: $3.00
  • Gold Club Price: $2.25
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Gold Filled Jump Ring Closed (.035) 19ga. 7mm - Pack of 10
J11-169
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.22
  • Gold Club Price: $10.67
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Gold Filled Eyepins 24GA 1 inch - Pack of 10
J8-25
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.24
  • Gold Club Price: $3.18
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2-4mm beads in assorted colors; I used 3mm anodized hematite rondells
  • Lesson Quantity: 80.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

Marker -extra fine
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
4 Saw Frame
SAW-344.00
  • SAW-344.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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2/0 Relentless Sawblade - Sold by the Dozen
SAW-400.05D
  • SAW-400.05D
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.98
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10 Inch Straight Aviation Tin Snips - Pack of 1
G2-99
  • G2-99
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.57
  • Gold Club Price: $3.43
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Steel Square, 2 Inches
GAU-188.02
  • GAU-188.02
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face
G3-27
  • G3-27
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.97
  • Gold Club Price: $10.48
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Flex Shaft System, 1/4 Horsepower Motor
HDP-150.00
  • HDP-150.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $123.97
  • Gold Club Price: $92.98
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Flex Shaft Motor Hangers, Bench Clamp Model
HOL-620.00
  • HOL-620.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $31.97
  • Gold Club Price: $23.98
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Diamond Coated 3/32 Drill Bits - Set of 6
G26-55
  • G26-55
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $38.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.23
Out of Stock
Deluxe V-Slot Bench Pin with Clamp
BPN-105.00
  • BPN-105.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.98
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6 Piece Assorted File Set with Wooden Handle
G14-7
  • G14-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.57
  • Gold Club Price: $4.18
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WET/DRY PAPER 9 X 11 ASST- 20PC- 2EA GRIT 180-3000
ABR-500.90
  • ABR-500.90
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Chain Nose Wire Plier
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Round Nose Wire Plier
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Auto Center Punch
PUN-430.00
  • PUN-430.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
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Instructions
Step 1
Measure two 50mm sections of patterned wire and saw them out. File and sand the cut surfaces smooth. Note: You can cut them with metal snips, but take care to flatten the deformed ends if you do so.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Measuring Pattern Wire
Step 2
On the back of each wire, draw a centered line down the entire section of metal. Note: I also scribe the line for accuracy.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Marking Pattern wire with ruler
Step 3
Create nine 5mm divisions and indicate them with the marker. Working on the steel block, use a chasing or ball peen hammer and the center punch to create a divot at each intersection. Tip: An L-Square ensures the marks are perpendicular.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Using a square to mark hole locations
Step 4
Use the #55 drill bit to SLOWLY drill the holes. The brass is very hard, and you will dull the bit if you drill too fast. Note: Don't be tempted to use hole punching pliers! Yellow brass is very hard and will destroy the cutting edges of your pliers.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Using a #55 Drill bit
Step 5
Sand and remove the burrs from the metal, ensuring there are no sharp areas. Use a half round file to round the ends of the wire sections into a "popsicle stick" shape. Clean the metal and bring it to a 600 grit finish with the sandpaper.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Filing and sanding Pattern wire
Step 6
Return the sections to the steel block and use the center punch to create holes for the large jump rings at about 3mm in from the curved ends of the wire. Positioning them depends on the shape you filed at the end of the wire. Drill the holes with the larger #52 drill bit, and sand and abrade the burrs as before. Pre-polish the metal for assembly.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Finishing Pattern wire holes
Step 7
Holding the wire sections back to back, insert a large jump ring into the larger hole and close it securely. Add one ring to each of the other large drilled holes. Note: Take care to close the rings neatly and tightly.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Adding a Jump Ring to Pattern wire
Step 8
Cut a 2-foot length of 28ga wire. Insert one end into the top hole, string 2-3 beads, and exit the wire out of the other top hole. Carry the wire ends down the outside of the pendant and insert them into the next lowest hole. Each row of beads will increase in number - I added one bead to each side on every row. The 28ga wire passes through the beads from each side of the pendant.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Adding Beads to Pattern wire
Step 9
Work down the rows in the pattern and design of your choosing. You might need to adjust the number of your particular beads per row for neatness - it may not be mathematical, so use your eye to help you decide.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Adding Beads to Pattern wire
Step 10
When you reach the last row, snip the exiting wires as closely to the patterned wire as possible. Take care to sand off any protruding points.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Finishing beading on Pattern wire
Step 11
For final assembly, I created a scrap brass charm by melting it with my torch, and later drilling the blob with the smaller drill bit. I attached it to the base ring of the chevron with a bead-embellished eye pin to echo the colors in the pendant and small jump rings. Then, I suspended the top os the pendant with some fine gauge recycled vintage chain.

Have some fun with this design, and vary the color, number and size of the beads, as well as the width, length and number of holes in the patterned wire.

Congratulations! You've made your first Beaded Chevron Pendant.
Helen I. Driggs's Beaded Chevron Pendant - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Drilling, Drill, Completed Pattern wire Pendant