Tiny Treasure Basket Necklace Tutorial

by zoraida
(patchogue, ny)

I've always been fascinated by tiny baskets, nests and things that hold other things. This is my first attempt at creating a tiny wire basket to hold poems, prayers, talismans or treasures. It's an amulet of sorts.

I had no tutorial so I played it by ear. I used 14 gauge, round copper wire and started a spiral about 1" across.

Placing the spiral at the bottom of a small vitamin bottle, I continued to wrap the wire up the sides for about another inch. I tucked the end of the wire in slightly.

I used 24 gauge wire to weave in through the wires vertically at a few points to make it more rigid.

I then made a second spiral about 1" across for the lid and formed a small loop at the end for the clasp. I wove the finer wire vertically along the spiral wires and added a tiny bead to the top.

Small "P" shapes of 14 gauge wire became the "handles" and were attached to the basket.

A small piece of wire was used to create a loop at one end, inserted through the middle hole at the bottom of the basket. Another loop was made at the other end to hang the little tassel of beads.

The lid was attached at the back of the basket by simply inserting a wire through the first row of spirals and coiling it a few times, making sure to leave a little slack for movement and facing the small loop directly opposite the "hinge". The tiny loop was turned in toward the basket.

A tiny bead was woven into the front of the basket to catch the loop and close the lid.

I coiled fine wire around the edges of the both the lid and the basket to give it a more finished look. Fine wire was also coiled at the bottom loop where the beads dangle to keep the loop from sliding up into the basket to much.

I made the chain with bead stations, a clasp, and dangled beads on the basket handles.

There is probably a better way to do this, but I tend to do things by bumbling along and finding my own way.

zoraida
Spiralingbead
Zoraida on artfire