Whimsical Heart Charm Tutorial

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and love is in the air!!  Can you feel it?  Bump up the love factor by making this adorable heart charm!

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You will need:

18 Gauge Half Hard Sterling Silver Wire or Craft Wire (4 inches)

26 Gauge Half Hard Sterling Silver Wire or Craft Wire (approximately 5 feet)

3mm Swarovski Crystal Pearls (20-25)

Wire Cutters

Round Nose Pliers

Rawhide or Rubber Mallet

Steel Bench Block

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1. Grip the center of the 18 gauge wire with your round nose pliers and fold the wire in half.

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2. Hold on to one end of the wire with your round nose pliers and start coiling.

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3. Continue the coil to form a rough open loop.

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4. Repeat the process on the other side to form a whimsical heart shape.

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5. Place the heart on your steel bench block.  Using your rawhide or rubber mallet, hammer the charm thoroughly.  This will work harden the piece so that it will retain its form.

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6. Wrap one end of the 26 gauge wire around the two sides of the heart, starting just above the swirls.

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7. After wrapping around four times, start wrapping around just the right hand side.

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8. After three wraps, slide a pearl onto the wire.  With the pearl facing the outside of the charm, continue wrapping to secure.

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9. Wrap around the wire three times, then add another pearl and wrap to secure.  Continue this pattern all the way around the charm.

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10. When you have covered the outside of the charm with pearls, finish by wrapping a few times around the original wraps above the swirls.  Cut off any remaining wire and tap down with your needle nose pliers.

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Voila!!  Your heart charm is finished.  You can turn this into a pendant, a focal piece for a bracelet, or make another and use them as earrings.  We hope you have a wonderful, love-filled Valentine’s Day!

Happy Beading!!