Use beads and wire to make this Crescent Moon Necklace!
I have a bit of a thing about symbols and signs; those images that seem universal, that we keep coming back to time and time again. The crescent moon is one of them that seems to be having something of a moment right now! You can use any type and colour of wire and whatever selection of beads you like. This project uses a wrapped wire loop, if you would like a reminder of how to make one, click over here first!
You will need:
-0.8mm wire for the frame
-0.4mm wire to wrap the beads
-necklace and jump ring
-selection of small beads; I’m using 3mm and 4mm faceted Czech glass and Size 11 and 8 seed beads.
-chainnose pliers, round nose pliers and cutters
-chunky marker pen or something similar to use to shape your wire
How to make a Crescent Moon Necklace:
1.Cut a 30cm / 12″ length of the 0.8mm wire. Place a chunky marker pen or something of a similar thickness at the middle point of the wire and bend round to form a teardrop shape.
2.You should be aiming for a shape that is approximately 3cm/1 ¼” across.
3.Bend one of the wires up straight and use your round nose pliers to make a wrapped loop
4.Use your chainnose pliers to hold both wires at the top of the teardrop shape as in the picture below. Wrap the remaining wire over the top of the existing wraps. Cut off any remaining wire.
5.Now to turn our teardrop into a crescent moon! Using chainnose pliers, hold the wire where indicated by the red arrow
6.Bend the shorter section of wire back in on itself, shaping with your fingers, until you are happy it looks more like a crescent (and not a banana!!!)
7.Now for the beads! I have chosen a mix of pearly colours and metallics from my stash, in 3 & 4mm faceted Czech glass and Size 8&11 seed beads. Cut a comfortable length of the 0.4mm wire, and tightly wrap one end around your crescent, right up near the loop, cutting off the short tail.
8.Thread on a 2 or 3 different beads
9.With the beads sitting on the inside of the wire crescent, wrap the wire around again to secure. Keep adding 2 0r 3 beads at a time before wrapping the wire.
10.Continue adding beads until you have gone all the way around the inside of the crescent. Secure the wire by wrapping around the frame a couple of times and cut off the excess.
11.Use a jump ring to thread the pendant onto a necklace and enjoy!
If you have a go at making your own Crescent Moon Necklace, or have any questions feel free to comment below or message me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook! Happy Making!
Super cute and simple! A moon necklace would make a wonderful photography prop for me – thank you!
Thanks Natasha!
Totally gorgeous Emma!
Thanks Kim!
Oh I love this! And great tutorial.
Definitely going to have to try out this technique.
Glad you like it! The same wire wrapping technique will work with lots of other shapes too! Emma