When the holiday season approaches each year, it seems no matter how early you get started and how much you plan, you always end up trying to find a few cheap Christmas gifts at the last second, whether for an office co-worker, or a family member. We have made this problem a lot easier to solve.
As you can see, it doesn't take a lot of money when giving Christmas gifts. Many times, the homemade ones that comes with a little thought and a lot of love mean more than the latest electronic gadget from the store.
This week’s feature gift idea is the Wrapped Y Necklace
This wrapped Y necklace is an elegant design that forms the shape of the letter Y. Pearls, gemstones and crystals look great in this design. You can even use a combination of different beads. I’ve used dark blue pearls and a Swarovski crystal heart for this necklace.
What you need:
pearls of your choice
one Swarovski heart-shaped briolette bead
22gauge (0.6mm) silver wire
toggle clasp and bar
belcher or curb chain with links of 2mm
2 jump rings (3mm or 4mm)
round nose pliers
chain or flat nose pliers
wire or side cutters
safety glasses (optional)
(you can always substitute the above items with other items of your choice)
Step 1:
We are going to make the briolette wrap for the crystal heart first. Follow the detailed explanation for making a briolette wrap on the page briolette wrap. You can wrap the wire a bit further down the briolette for this wrapped y necklace design. It will look like the one in the photo below.
Step 2:
Cut off approx. 3-4” (10mm) of 22 gauge wire. You need this to make a wrapped loop for the pearl. Follow steps 1-3 on the page wrapped loop. Slide your briolette bead onto the open loop.
Step 3:
Grip the loop with your chain or flat nose pliers. Use your free hand to wrap the tail of the wire 2-3 times around the neck of the loop. Cut off the excess wire as close to the wrap as possible and press the end down with your chain nose pliers.
Step 4:
Slide a pearl onto the wire. Grip the wire 2mm above the pearl with your round nose pliers, and make a loop as in step 2. Cut off 3 links of chain and slide it onto the open loop. Wrap the wire 2-3 times around the neck of the loop, and cut off the excess wire with your wire cutters.
Step 5:
The rest of the necklace is just a repetition of the same technique. Add another wrapped pearl to the design. You don’t need to attach a chain for this step.
Step 6:
To form the ‘Y’ shape for the wrapped Y necklace, attach 2 wrapped pearls to the loop on top. Remember to attach the chain to both pearls . I’ve made this mistake too many times!!
Step 7:
Continue to add pearls (with chain attached to it) on both sides. Measure the necklace as you go along. Stop adding pearls when you have your necklace size minus 2” (5cm), because the toggle clasp and chain will measure approx. 2 inches. Do not wrap the last pearl on both sides, leave the loop open.
Step 8:
Cut off 10 links of chain (x2). The reason for the 10 links is that it is quite difficult to fasten a toggle bar with a pearl attached close to it. Slide the chain onto the open loops at both ends.
Step 9:
This is the last step in making your wrapped Y necklace.
Open a jump ring with your chain and round nose pliers and slide the toggle clasp as well as the last link of the chain onto it. Close it the same way as you’ve opened it. Do the same for the toggle bar at the other end of your necklace.
Well done, your wrapped ‘Y’ necklace is now ready to wear.
When the holiday season approaches each year, it seems no matter how early you get started and how much you plan, you always end up trying to find a few cheap Christmas gifts at the last second, whether for an office co-worker, or a family member. We have made this problem a lot easier to solve.
We are going to make the briolette wrap for the crystal heart first. Follow the detailed explanation for making a briolette wrap on the page briolette wrap. You can wrap the wire a bit further down the briolette for this wrapped y necklace design. It will look like the one in the photo below.
Cut off approx. 3-4” (10mm) of 22 gauge wire. You need this to make a wrapped loop for the pearl. Follow steps 1-3 on the page wrapped loop. Slide your briolette bead onto the open loop.
The rest of the necklace is just a repetition of the same technique. Add another wrapped pearl to the design. You don’t need to attach a chain for this step.
To form the ‘Y’ shape for the wrapped Y necklace, attach 2 wrapped pearls to the loop on top. Remember to attach the chain to both pearls . I’ve made this mistake too many times!!
Continue to add pearls (with chain attached to it) on both sides. Measure the necklace as you go along. Stop adding pearls when you have your necklace size minus 2” (5cm), because the toggle clasp and chain will measure approx. 2 inches. Do not wrap the last pearl on both sides, leave the loop open.
Cut off 10 links of chain (x2). The reason for the 10 links is that it is quite difficult to fasten a toggle bar with a pearl attached close to it. Slide the chain onto the open loops at both ends.
› 
› 
