Gifts you can make

The second contribution to Countdown to Christmas is gifts you can make. These birds nest necklaces are gorgeous - and so simple to make. You can add different gemstones or birthstones for your BFFs.

 

Designed by Sarah Ortega of Poppy & Pine, you will find plenty more gorgeous examples of her work for sale on Etsy.

YOU WILL NEED:

Jewellery wire (I prefer 24-guage because it is easier to manipulate)
Pearls, glass beads or birthstones
Necklace chain
Jump ring and a clasp
Needle-nose or long-nose pliers

 

 

HERE'S HOW:

Select the beads you want for your birds nest necklace and start by stringing them onto your wire. Arrange them nicely in a cluster, so that wrapping is easy.

Now it's simply a process of neatly wrapping the wire around the beads.

To hold the wrapped wire together, insert smaller sections of wire between each bead. I like the look of three loops but you could just do one or two if you prefer - or even leave this step out completely (see examples below).

Tie off the wire at the back, making it as neat as possible. Arrange so that you have a small loop, through which you can thread the chain.

Use pliers to flatten and tuck in any loose wires before threading the chain through the loop and attaching a jump ring and a clasp to the end of a necklace chain.