Retired - French Lace Necklace

Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.

1. Begin by cutting 4 lengths of 24 gauge wire, 3 inches long each. Take one piece of wire and create a wrapped wire loop on one end. Thread onto the wire: 1 Austrian crystal crystal 4mm bicone, 1 Vintaj Arte Metal bead cap, 1 Czech glass fire polished bead in metallic brown iris, another bead cap and another 4mm bicone. Create a wrapped wire loop at the top and cut off excess wire with flush cutters. Repeat with the other 3 lengths of wire.
2. Cut 2 lengths of chain, 3 1/2 inches long each. On one end of one chain length, open the loop at the bottom of your clasp hook and attach it to the chain. Close the loop. On the other end of this same chain, attach one of the dangles you made above using a 4mm jump ring. Take the other piece of chain you cut and open a 9.5mm jump ring and attach it to one end, close the jump ring (this will be used as the second half of your clasp). On the other end of this same chain, attach one of the dangles you made above using a 4mm jump ring.
3. Open a 4mm jump ring and place onto it the wrapped wire loop on the other end of the dangle hanging from a chain piece from the step above. Before closing this jump ring, also link onto it in this order: 1 Vintaj brass Etruscan connector with the hollow section facing the item you are going to add next, 1 18mm round purple filigree (link through one of the outer loops), and another Vintaj connector with the hollow section facing the purple filigree. Close the jump ring. See photo for a better idea of how this will look. Go to the other end of your Etruscan connecters and link them together with 4mm jump ring. Before closing the jump ring, attach to it the wrapped wire loop ontop of one of the dangles you made in step one. Close the jump ring. Open another 4mm jump ring and attach it to the other end of the dangle you just connected. Close the jump ring. Repeat this entire step attaching the above items to the other length of chain/clasp. Set aside.
4. We are now going to make the main body of our necklace. Refer to the photo often for clarification on placement of items.
5. In front of you, lay out the following: Vintaj large clover filigree angled so it looks like a diamond not a square, debossed side facing up. On top of it place the large oval shaped purple filigree so that it is centered on the filigree from side to side but from the top to bottom orientation, it should be sitting lower on the filigree - the top of it lining up with the beginning of the top protruding clover petal. Now on the east and west clover petals, carefully insert about 1/4" inch of the tip of one of your white filigree stampings between the brass clover and the purple oval. You want the white piece sandwiched between the two others. Now look and find a place where all 3 filigree's have an open-work hole exposed. Through this hole, place a rivet. Now holding everything together with your fingers, carefully turn upside down and place on a bench block. The end of the rivet should be sticking up now, place onto it a Vintaj decorative washer and then rivet together.
6. Place on a bench block one rivet sticking upright and place onto it the outer loop of one Vintaj 20mm flower filigree. Now take the large filigrees you just riveted slide onto the rivet the outer loop of the white filigree you have already riveted. Next, place ontop of that a Vintaj decorative washer. Rivet these items together .
7. Take one of your purple 18mm filigrees and using a round hole punch plier, punch the center of the filigree. There is already a hole there but we need it to be bigger for the rivet.
8. Place onto a bench block one rivet sticking upright and place onto it through the center hole the purple filigree from the above step. On top of the purple filigree place one of the outer loops of the Vintaj 20mm flower filigree which was riveted two steps ago. Place on top of this, a Vintaj decorative washer. Rivet.
9. On an outer loop of the purple filigree you just riveted, place a jump ring and link that jump ring to one of the beaded dangles which is connected to all the other filigree and chain you worked on in the beginning steps.
10. You have just completed the one entire side of your necklace. Repeat the last 5 steps on the other side of your large clover filigree/purple oval filigree center piece.
11. Let the fun begin! Time to add some sparkle and decoration.
12. On the back side of a white filigree, place a small amount of E6000 glue in the middle, using a toothpick or small piece of wire to apply it. Turn right side up and center on your purple oval filigree (your center piece). Press into place. As you press, E6000 will seep out the 4 middle holes. Take 4 flat back Austrian crystal rhinestones and place them directly on top of each hole. Let dry.
13. Using your round nose pliers, gently curve the top clover petal up and over the purple and white filigrees below it. You can use your fingers too but it can be easier to use a tool. See photo for how much to curve. Attach a jump ring to the very tip (which is now facing downward) and attach a Vintaj Arte Metal bird with the jump ring. Close the jump ring.
14. Take 4 Vintaj Arte Metal bead caps and place a dab of E6000 glue on the back of each. Glue directly on top of your rivets - on all 4 spots where you attached a purple filigrees using rivets. Press down. As you press, some of the glue will seep through the middle hole. At these spots, place a flat back Austrian crystal rhinestone. See the photo.
15. If you like, you can now go back to your finished piece, and using your fingers, bend the filigree - you don't need to do this, but you can add shape to the piece if you like - just be careful not to bend it too much.
16. Enjoy!

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