Rub the surface of the base filigree (#316-B), leaves (#852-B) and bee (#J836-B) using steel wool. This creates tooth for the Gilders Paste to bond to. For a refresher on how to use Gilders Paste to alter your metal filigrees, check out this tutorial right HERE.
Add Gilders Paste to the filigrees in Step 1. I opted to use mineral spirits and a paint brush to apply a blue iris color.
Allow the Gilders Paste to dry, then buff the surface using a soft rag. I sped up the drying process using my heat tool. This allows for a denser color; however, you must be careful to allow your filigree to cool after heating in…it gets really hot!
Glue the round silver filigree (#286-P) to the center of the base filigree (#316-B) using E-6000. To find out why I use E-6000, check out my tutorial on how to adhere metal to just about anything right HERE.
Cut the leaf filigree (#852-B) along the cut line made in Step 6. Using the first leaf as a template, layer it onto the second leaf and cut the second leaf filigree.
Glue the two cut leaf filigrees (#852-B) onto the round silver filigree (#286-P) using E-6000.
Glue the bronze bee charm (#J836-B) onto the center of the pendant using E-6000. The bee should completely cover the cut ends of the leaves (#852-B). Now set the pendant aside to allow the glue to set.
Now it’s time to shape the two bails for the pendant 🙂 Place the center of bronze filigree #677-B into a pair of bail making pliers, with the back side of the filigree facing the large side of the pliers.
Use a pair of bent chain nose pliers to bend a small portion of the ends of the bail back. Then pinch the bail so the ends meet. I pinched the bail together using the small side of the bail making pliers so that I didn’t kink the filigree while pinching it closed. Repeat Step 10 and Step 11 for the second bail.
By now, your glue should have set up enough to handle the pendant portion of your necklace…BUT make sure to handle it with care. It takes several hours for E-6000 to finish setting up.
Cut a 4″ long piece of chain (#CH206-B), and thread it through one of the bails. Add one small bead onto each end of the chain, followed by another ¾” long piece of chain. Finally, attach each of the short ends of chain to one large bead from Step 12. Repeat for the second bail.
Add two pieces of ¾” chain to the other side of the large bead, and finish the ends with a small bead. Repeat on the second side of your necklace.
Add a length of chain to the remaining small beads, and add a toggle clasp (#J928-B) as a closure for your necklace. The length of chain you use will depend on your desired necklace length. I ended up using two 5¾” lengths of chain, which I cut in half to add the toggle clasp.
One last note…don’t be afraid to experiment with other colors and brands of patinas. There are also an endless number of beautiful pendants you can create just by layering different styles and colors of filigrees. Just have fun, and be creative!
As always, I thank you for taking the time to visit me over here on my blog, and hope you have loads of fun creating your own masterpiece! Cheers!