Dangle pendants can form part of an affordable and versatile jewellery gift set for friends or family. By using lobster clasps for each pendant, you can easily transfer the pendants from a necklace chain to a charm bracelet, or even to a pair of earrings. The pendants themselves can be as simple or complex as you wish depending on your own skills, patience, and creativity. Here we will explore how to make simple bead dangle pendants to attach to jewellery.
Anybody can make simple pieces of Jewellery with the right materials and equipment. It is not overly complicated and with some patience and practice the quality and complexity of your hand-crafted jewellery can improve immensely.
It is good to start off with simple uncomplicated jewellery projects in order to establish basic skills and confidence. Such skills include manipulating craft wire with pliers, and linking jewellery components together using specific jewellery findings, such as jump rings and head pins.
This jewellery project will allow you to practice these techniques.
You Will Need:
- A selection of beads, semi-precious stones, or charms
- Head pins
- Jump rings
- Round-nosed pliers
- Flat-nosed pliers
- Wire cutters
- Lobster clasps
How to Make a Dangle Pendant
Follow these basic, step-by-step instructions to make a simple beaded dangle pendant.
- Select a bead and post it onto a head pin so that the bead sits on the head of the pin.
- Make a loop with the remaining wire using round-nosed pliers, close to the bead.
- Wrap the remaining wire around the base of the loop using flat-nosed pliers, holding the loop in place with the round-nosed pliers.
- Trim the excess wire away using wire cutters and press any sharp ends in using the flat-nosed pliers.
- Open up a jump ring with your pliers and slip through the loop.
- Slip a lobster clasp onto the jump ring with the loop before closing it with the pliers.
You now have a dangle pendant which can be attached, using the lobster clasp, to a chain to make a pendant necklace, or as a charm to a bracelet.
To make earrings, simply attach dangle pendants to earring hooks.
TIP: You can attach lobster clasps to ready-made charms with jump rings for variety, and wear with your own hand-crafted, bead dangle pendants.
Alternative Ideas for Dangle Pendants
Dangle pendants do not have to be limited to necklace, bracelets, and earrings. With a bit of imagination your dangle pendants can adorn many other items.
Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Attach a lucky dangle pendant to your keyring. Choose your birthstone, or a citrine which is thought to bring prosperity.
- Hang dangle pendants on a large safety pin to make a pretty brooch, perfect for holding a button-free cardigan or wrap together.
- Use your dangle pendant as a phone charm to add character to your mobile phone.
- Personalize a purse or top by attaching dangle pendants to zips.
Don't forget to present your selection of dangle pendants in a pretty gift box if you are making them for friends!
