Dreams of Atlantis

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Dreams of Atlantis

by zoraida
(patchogue, ny)

Rainbow agate beads in glorious colors

Recently, I had purchased these beautiful Rainbow Agate beads at a local Beadfest. Their colors and patterns were amazing - blues, greens, soft browns and orange.

I put them away knowing it while be a while before I could create something and possibly part with them.

I finally caved in and made this necklace.

Because the colors and "clouds" remind me of topical waters in sunlight and gentle waves near the shore, I called it Dreams of Atlantis.

zoraida
Spiralingbead
Zoraida on artfire

Comments for
Dreams of Atlantis

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Beautiful!
by: Diann In L.A.

Zoraida! This necklace is beautiful! I love the combination of graceful copper swirls matched with the green agate. It looks like jade.

Can you describe what width of copper; the tools you used, and how you made it? Thank you for sharing your necklace and any information about making it.

Dreams of Atlantis tutorial
by: zoraida

Thank you for the compliments on my Dreams of Atlantis necklace.

This piece was actually easy to create once I figured out how to form an interesting pendant from the odd, melon-like shape of the center bead.

I used 24gauge, 18gauge, 16 gauge and 14gauge round copper wire. Round nose pliers, step pliers, a chasing hammer, 10-14mm beads and 6-8mm beads.

The hole in that bead was big enough for 16gauge, round wire. I used approximately 9" of 16gauge and curved it toward the center of the bead, formed small, outward facing spirals on either end and hammered them a little with a chasing hammer. A 14mm bead was attached between these spirals with 24gauge copper wire.

I created a large open spiral with a loop at one end leaving the center open enough to fit a 14mm bead. I hammered the spiral and inserted another 14mm bead into the center space of this spiral using 24gauge wire.

These two sections of the pendant were attached using the 24gauge wire - the fat spiral to the melon shaped bead and wire, the loop toward the top.

Using 14gauge copper wire,I made 4 spiral shapes -2 "S" shapes and 2 with just a small loop on top. I cut about 5" of 14g wire for these. All the spirals and hook & clasp were hammered.

I used 8-14mm beads and 6-8mm beads with 18gauge round wire for the wrapped links to connect with the hammered spirals.

The beads and spirals were connected, starting at the top loop of the pendant.

The pattern is: 1 large bead, 1 spiral, 1 large bead, one small bead, one large bead, 1 spiral. Then I reversed the order to - 1 small bead, 1 large bead, 1 small bead. Repeat on each side.

Six figure 8 links were made using 16gauge wire from sections of about 1 1/2" using the widest part of round nose pliers.

One larger figure 8 was made using 2" of 14gauge for the clasp using step pliers (about 8mm diameter on one end and small loop on the other end of the figure 8).

Two jump rings with a inside measurement of about 6mm were created using 16gauge wire.

Finally the curvy hook clasp was made of 14gauge wire using about 3 1/2' of wire.

Three figure 8 links were connected and attached to the last bead followed by a jump ring and the large figure 8 for the "eye" part of the clasp.

On the "hook" side of the clasp, I attached the jump ring after the 3rd figure eight then the hook.

I had to go back and analyze my steps so I hope this sounds clear and complete.

Sweet
by: Anonymous

Love the necklace and of course I'm partial to copper. That's a great focal. I had one in rose quartz that was that shape and it took some work to make it into something I really like. Good job.
Lois
http://www.abeadedaffair.com