Fan-tastic!

Draw inspiration from the past to make linda jones' sophisticated accessories

Linda Jones, MJ Designer

The stunning focal point for this necklace and brooch pin set is a simple fan-shape made from plated wire. A popular motif during the Art Deco design period which originated in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century, the motif exudes the elegance of a bygone era and is perfect for incorporating into contemporary statement jewellery!

How to… Make a Beaded Fan

1. Create a fan frame. Cut 25.5cm of 0.8mm gold-plated wire. Place the centre of the wire around a 30mm diameter mandrel and shape it into a large loop, bringing the ends together to a point. Place a pair of flat- nosed pliers on one side of the rounded loop and bend to form one side of a fan frame.
2. Repeat on the other side, so that the wires cross over, leaving 6cm projecting. Cut 6cm of 0.4mm wire and use this to bind the crossed section together. Adjust the triangular fan shape until you are totally satisfied, before hammering it gently on a steel stake, avoiding the bound wire section where it crosses over.
3. Position a pair of flat-nosed pliers just by the bound crossed over area and bend the wire back in towards the centre. Repeat on the other side, then use round-nosed pliers to create wiggles in the wire and bend both ends back towards each other, so that the wires cross over in opposite directions. Curl the ends of the wire into small tight spirals and fold them over each side of the base of the fan frame to flatten and secure.
4. Bead the centre of the fan. Cut two, 12.5cm lengths of 0.4mm gold-plated wire. Bind the centre of each piece around the bound section from step 2, leaving the projecting ends facing up towards the top curve of the frame to give you four projecting wires in total. Cut 6.5cm of 0.4mm gold-plated wire and bind this once more, at the centre, so that you have five wires to bead.
5. Separate the projecting wires within the frame by fanning them out, then thread each with one green bugle, one gold seed, one green seed, one rice bead, one greenseed, one gold seed and a final green bugle. Secure by binding the ends of the wire to the top of the curved frame, then cut off any excess wire and neaten the ends to finish.

Necklace

1. Make one beaded fan (see How To...). Cut 7.5cm of 0.8mm gold-plated wire and create a small tight spiral at one end. Press this spiral against the front of the wrapped area of your fan and bind the projecting end tightly around to secure and hide the wrapped fine wires underneath. Trim any excess.
2. Cut two 30cm lengths of 0.5mm nylon filament and secure one to the top of each side of the fan frame using a crimp bead. Thread each piece with a selection of green and gold seeds, green and gold bugles, rice beads and 4mm rounds, then attach a handmade or ready made clasp to the ends with a crimp bead and two 7mm jump rings.
3. Cut 30.5cm of 0.4mm gold-plated wire, then secure one end to the top left-hand corner of the fan frame by wrapping it around the wire tightly three or four times. Thread a 4mm gold-coloured round onto the wire, then wrap around the frame a couple of times to secure.
4. Continue adding more 4mm goldcoloured rounds to the top curve of the frame in the same way, remembering to wrap the wire securely to the frame after each bead. When you reach the opposite side, wrap the wire tightly around the frame three or four times and cut off any excess.
5. Cut a 4cm length of gold-plated wire and thread it through a ready-made fabric tassel, starting at the top and pushing it down through the centre. Leaving at least 2cm protruding from the top of the tassel, form a eye pin in the bottom end of the wire, then thread a 4mm gold-coloured round onto the protruding piece.
6. Trim to 1cm above the bead and form an eye pin loop in the top. Cut another length of gold-plated wire and starting at the back of the tassel, wrap this piece around the top of the tassel and create a small, tight spiral at the front to finish.

Pin Brooch

1. Make one beaded fan (see How To...) and decorate with your choice of beads. Create a pin by cutting 20.5cm of 0.8mm gold-plated wire (you will need this to be slightly longer if you’re making a hat pin), then form a small, tight spiral at one end using 5cm of the wire. Measure 2.5cm from the opposite end and hammer to flatten an area of the wire.
2. Place a pair of flatnosed pliers on one side of the flattened piece and chain-nosed pliers at the other. Holding the wire very firmly, twist one pair of pliers three to four times in the same direction to create a twisted section. Use a needle file to shape the very end of the wire to a point and smooth over any rough areas with sandpaper.
3. Secure the pin to your fan frame by placing the spiral over the front of the wrapped wire area, directly underneath the beads and wrapping the protruding wire tightly around to secure. Using the tips of chain-nosed pliers, bend the wire down so that it projects at a right angle at the back of the frame towards the centre.