Wire and Bead Tutorials. Beaded Dangle or Pendant. Part 1

Wire and Bead Tutorials.
Beaded Dangle or Pendant. Figure 1.

This is Part 1 of my blog post series of Wire and Bead Tutorials. In this post I will be showing a simple way to make a Beaded Dangle or Pendant using Head Pins and various Beads.

All of the following techniques and supplies are historically used and date back to at least the end of the first millenium BC (BCE) and continue well through the Byzantine Empire. I have found many extant examples from various times and places of the Roman Republic, the Roman Empire, and the Byzantine Empire. Over the coming months I will continue to look for extant pieces from other Mediterranean and European civilizations.

A modern Head Pin is a long wire with one end terminating in a flattened, round 'head' that is simiar to a nail's or some styles of rivets. They can be purchased at many bead suppliers or craft stores and come in a variety of gauges, lengths, and metals either precious or not.

1. Pass the Head Pin's 'end' (1b) through the Decorative Bead (1a) so its 'head' is flush against the bead's opposite opening* (1c).

2. Take 1 or more small Embellishment Bead (2a) and slide them onto the Head Pin (2 & 2b).

3. Bend the remaining length of the Head Pin about 90 degrees (3a) so that the Beads are secured in place and that there isn't room enough for them to slide back and forth. Use Round Needle Nose Pliers (3) to form a loop by bending the wire around it (4a). 

4. Use Wire Cutters (4) to shorten the Head Pin (4a), so it forms a closed, round loop (4b). Use a Pair of Flat Needle Nose Pliers (4c) to manipulate the loop so that it is centered and closed properly so there isn't any gap left. A gap could get spread wider through wear and tear to possible lose the Dangle.

5.  Pass the Dangle's loop (4b) either through the opening of the hook or brooch pin, or one end of a chain, cord or wire so it is secured.

Wire and Bead Tutorials.
Beaded Dangle or Pendant. Figure 2.

* Please Note: If the Decorative Bead's bottom opening is wider than the Head Pin's 'head', then you can do any of the following historically used options:

A. First slide on a small bead, like a Seed Bead, that is wider than the Decorative Bead's opening. This smaller bead will stop the larger bead from falling off.

B. First slide on a spangle which will act like a Bead Cap. A spangle is a small, flat metal disk with a drilled hole at it's center, it is what sequince is made up of and it is used in decorative Embroidery.

C. First slide on a small Bead Cap with a hole small enough that the 'head' prevents it from sliding off the Head Pin. Bead Caps are usually curved like the Bead and look molded against it. 

D. Use or make a Head Pin with a wider 'head' or that has a balled up end with a wider diameter than the width of the Decorative Bead's hole.

E. Make a single or double Loop that's larger than the Decorative Bead's opening. Use the same techniques shown in this photo-tutorial.

F. If you are using round wire instead of a Head Pin, and the Bead has a small opening, you can simply bend the wire back onto itself (180 degrees) using a Pair of Flat Needle Nose Pliers (4c). This will form a closed 'U' shape that should be wider than the Decorative Bead's bottom opening.

Part 2 of this Blog post series will show how to make 1 style of Birka Grave Find, Bead Hangers. It is a decorative way to suspend 1 or more beads on a beaded necklace or chain. There are a variety of styles and I will be showing 1 of the 2 most found methods. This style of Viking Age Bead Hanger was predominately found in Birka Grave Finds.