Crystals can be found in many colors all over the United States.
Crystal pebbles can be found in your local craft store, or you can find a destination that allows you to buy buckets of gems and crystals and pan for pebbles yourself. Many mountain ranges across the country have gem mines where you can clean and scout out the perfect pebbles for your jewelry designs.This way you can buy your pebbles in bulk. Either way you choose to come by your pebbles, turn them into a pendant-style necklace or bracelet. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Gather your crystal pebbles and place them in a pile under good lighting. These will be used to make a bracelet or pendant. Try to find as many as you can that are roughly the same size. Set these to the side. Take color into consideration and think of how you want the design to look as you choose. Be sure you have enough; about a handful should be fine. Choose one larger pebble that can become the centerpiece of a pendant-style necklace. Grab a few smaller ones to flank it. Use them to compliment the larger crystal.
2. Cut off a piece of wire, about a foot and a half long. Start in the middle of your pebble and wrap your craft wire around it. Twist the wire once or twice, so the pebble is secure. Wrap the wire around again until you reach the opposite side, then twist the wire once or twice. Twist the same amount as you did before. These two wires are called the "hug" wires because they are hugging the pebble and holding it into place. Trim the excess wires to the same size. Bring them up, then arch them back over to the opposite side, creating about 4 inches of slack. Slip the wires under the two "hug" wires, then bring them back up to the top. Trim the wire at the halfway point of the arch you just made.
3. Use one hand to grasp the arch handle with the pliers, and use the other hand to turn the entire pebble, "hug" wire and all, a complete 360 degree turn. Remove the pliers and you should have a small loop directly at the top. Trim any ends and manipulate them with the pliers so they are not sticking out. Coil them and tuck them in at the top of the twist, if need be.
4. Repeat this technique as many times as you wish. Once you feel that you have enough, feed a few beads onto some jewelry elastic, string on the crystal and flank it with a few more beads. Repeat until you have a bracelet that fits you perfectly. Wrap it around your wrist to measure. Secure two naked ends of elastic by simply tying a regular double knot. Trim off any extra elastic on the knot. You may need to add or subtract a few beads or crystals to get it to fit just right.
5. Add the larger pebble onto the middle of a thin but durable ribbon. Flank it with a few of the smaller wire-wrapped pebbles on each side. Push everything to the dead center, then tie a knot next to the final crystals you just added. This keeps everything in place and prevents you from loosing the pieces. Add a bit of clear nail polish to the ends of your ribbon. Let the polish dry and your necklace is ready to wear.
6. Try another technique. Open a pronged bell cap. These are small pronged metal embellishments with a loop already attached to the top. Add a little epoxy to the pebble. Place the bell cap immediately on top of the pebble where it was glued, and push the prongs down all around it. Set it down and let it dry. Add your new jewelry pieces to some wire, ribbon or elastic.
Tags: crystals just, have enough, larger pebble, once twice, opposite side, pendant-style necklace
