Go West Necklace Tutorial

Created by: Mollie Valente

Designer Tips

Making the Pendant:

Cut the handle loop of the heart charm and file smooth.
Mark hole locations with a Sharpie®, and use the hole punch to make two 1/16th-inch hanging holes in the upper corners of the state charm.
Prepare the blanks by cleaning with a 3M™ sanding sponge.
Apply flux and then heat with a torch to melt a thin layer of solder to the backside of the heart blank.
Apply flux again, and position the heart (solder-side down) on the state charm.
With a torch, heat the blanks until the solder melts and the heart blank "settles" onto the state blank (use a soldering pick to keep the heart blank positioned correctly. Allow to cool before moving.
The Washington state blank is no longer available. However, we do have USA blanks!

Wash the blank with soap and water to remove the flux. Remove any discoloration by sanding with the 3M sanding sponge.
Use a cotton swab to apply patina to the pendant. Rinse with water and dry.
Polish with an Ultra polishing pad to a high polish, leaving a dark line of patina around the heart blank.

Assembling the Necklace:

Use 15mm round bail-making pliers to create a half-round bend in the center of the wire. Harden the wire by gently hammering/flattening the bend area.
Use the 1-step BIG Looper pliers to form a 3mm loop on one end of the half-round wire. Add two faceted-cube beads and form a matching loop on the other wire end.
Twist open one of the loops and attach to a hanging hole on the state blank. Add the three large hole spacer beads and then repeat with the second loop.
Thread the leather cord through the three large hole spacer beads.
Add a center-crimp tube with loop to one end of the leather cord; apply glue prior to crimping.
Add a center-crimp tube with hook to the opposite end of the leather cord; apply glue prior to crimping.

Free Technique Sheets & How-Tos

Suggested Supplies

1 each #60-280 Adhesive, Crafter's Pick™ The Ultimate
1 each #44-710-10-BR Brass Blank, Washington State, 24g
1 each #69-068 Choice™ Solder
1 each #44-780-18 Copper Blank, Heart with Handle
1 each #69-052 Flux, Stay-Clean Liquid - 4 oz
1 pkg of 5 meters [use 16"] #61-132-05-02 Greek Leather, 2mm, 5 Meter - Black
1 each #41-151-98-25-3 JBB Silver Plated Center-Crimp Tube with Hook, 2.2mm I.D.
1 each #41-151-99-25-3 JBB Silver Plated Center-Crimp Tube with Loop, 2.2mm I.D.
1 each #86-310 Novacan Black Patina
1 spool [use 2"] #47-205-16 Red Brass Wire, 16ga, Round, 32'
1 strand [use 2] #26-830-1 White Plated Beads, Faceted Cube, 2.5mm
1 gross [use 3 ] #26-120-1 White Plated Metal Beads, Large Hole Spacer