Ball Chain Bee Hive Tutorial

_DSC3424-mw-logo

Okay… This project by Nunn Design Team Member Melissa Williamson is so AWESOME, I just about screamed with delight when I saw what she was creating. Man, I’m telling you, the Nunn Design Team had a killer Art Day! Here is how Melissa created this Ball Chain Bee Hive Pendant. This project is more intermediate, but don’t let that discourage you from giving this a try!


Learn How!

Supplies Needed:

Crest Tag Circle-Gold
Crystal Clay 25g-Black
Faceted Bead Chain Fine-Gold
Ball Chain Small-Gold
Eye Pin 2inches-Gold
Beadcap 6mm Open-Gold
2 Jumprings Small-Gold
Brass Stamping Honey Bee
Small Delicate Cable Chain

Others:
Wet-wipes
Toothpick or headpin

Tools:
Flush Cutter Pliers
Needle Nose Pliers
1.25mm Hole Punch

DSC_0540_1000x1000


The Making of the Hive
Step 1:

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the handling and mixing of the Crystal Clay. While wearing gloves, pinch off two equal sized balls the size of large blueberries of Part A and Part B and blend together fully until the clay is no longer marbled and uniform in color. You have approximately 90-120 minutes of working time before the clay starts to harden, so take your time. Once the clay is thoroughly mixed, remove your gloves to make it easier to work with the clay.


Step 2:

Roll the ball in the palm of your hands until it is smooth. Place the ball of Crystal Clay into the Crest Tag Circle and start to sculpt the dome with your fingers.
Tip: If you have too much clay and your dome is way too high, pinch of the excess clay and then remove all of the clay from the Crest Tag. It is easiest to just start this step over again.

DSC_0557_1000x1000 DSC_0560_1000x1000


Step 3:

After you hive is domed, use a wet-wipe to remove any Crystal Clay from the Crest Tag Circle. When the clay hardens, it is like cement. Cleaning your hands and the metal surface as you go will result in a higher quality finished piece.


Step 4:

Embed the first bead of the Faceted Bead Chain Fine into the Crystal Clay at the base of the dome. Wrap the Faceted Bead Chain Fine around the base stopping to leave a ½” gap. Use a pair of Flush Cutter Pliers to trim away the excess chain.  Using a piece of the Faceted Bead Chain Fine create a ¼” high arch in the gap. Trim any excess chain you may have. This will be the opening of the hive. Oh my!!! This is exciting!!

DSC_0565_1000x1000 DSC_0582_1000x1000 DSC_0590_1000x1000


Step 5:

On the second row up, we will be switching to the Ball Chain Small. Start by embedding the end of the Ball Chain Small at the arch and wrap the chain around to the other side of the arch. Use a pair of flush cutters to cut away the excess. Try your best not to press the chain down too far into the clay, but far enough to keep it in position. Continue this step for 4 rows or until you are at the top of the arch.

DSC_0595_1000x1000 DSC_0600_1000x1000 DSC_0605_1000x1000


Step 6:

Once you are at the top of the arch, embed the first ball of your Ball Chain Small and spiral the chain up the hive until you have about 3/16” remaining on Crystal Clay at the top. Do not trim away the excess of the Ball Chain Small until after Step 7.

DSC_0627_1000x1000 DSC_0632_1000x1000


Step 7:

Using a pair of Flush Cutter Pliers, trim some of the excess length of the Eye Pin and thread on the 6mm Open Beadcap. Place the Eye Pin down the center of the hive and embed into the top of your hive the beadcap. Now you can trim away the excess Ball Chain from Step 6.

DSC_0639_1000x1000 DSC_0640_1000x1000 DSC_0651_1000x1000


Step 8.

Gently sculpt the dome and embed the Ball Chain Small into the Crystal Clay.

DSC_0660_1000x1000


Step 9:

Gently wipe down your piece with a wet-wipe. Let the Crystal Clay cure for 12 hours.

DSC_0719_1000x1000


Attaching the Honey Bee to the Hive
Step 10:

Using a 1.25mm Hole Punch, punch a hole into the wing of the Brass Stamping Honey Bee.

DSC_0670_1000x1000


Step 11:

Using the Flush Cutter Pliers, cut about ¼” of the Small Delicate Cable Chain and add a Jumpring small on both ends. Attach one end to the Brass Stamping Honey Bee and the other to the Eye Pin.

DSC_0677_1000x1000 DSC_0687_1000x1000 DSC_0695_1000x1000 DSC_0706_1000x1000DSC_0716_1000x1000


Shop the Supplies!

Didn’t I tell you? Awesome!!!


Shop Nunn Design Wholesale

Nunn Design has been supplying jewelry artists with findings for over 20 years. Shop wholesale jewelry findings for creative jewelry makers.

Shop Nunn Design!

How to Purchase Wholesale?

If you are interested in becoming one of the many designers who trust their jewelry to Nunn Design Findings, please join us by registering to become one of our wholesale customers!

Please visit our Where to Buy Page for a listing of online stores that sell Nunn Design Findings retail.


If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe to our blog. Here are 10 Reasons Why to Subscribe and a place to do so!

5 thoughts on “Ball Chain Bee Hive Tutorial

    • beckynunn says:

      It is awesome. This was the first time that I made Melissa’s design while doing these step-out images. I’m eager to make more in various sizes. Maybe embed some crystals in there too.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Next
Close
Test Caption
Test Description goes like this