How to Make Altered Glass Jewelry

Altered glass jewelry is a creative way to take an old piece of glass and turn it into a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. According to "The Art of Altered Glass," the basic idea of the art is that you have altered the original function of the glass, as well as its appearance, by adding fabric, beads, yarn or paper. Glass jewelry can be simple and elegant or it can be vibrant and eccentric.

Instructions

Wire-Wrapped Glass Pendant

1

Thread twelve of the glass beads onto the 24-gauge wire, working off of the spool. Allow three inches of wire to hang over the top of the glass. From that location on the wire begin wrapping the glass. As you wrap the wire, space the beads out evenly. Make sure to pull the wire tightly against the glass to secure it in place. Be creative in wrapping the wire. You can wrap horizontally, vertically and diagonally against the glass. By changing the direction you wrap in, you will add more depth and character to the glass. When you have reached your desired look, lead the wire back to the top of the glass where you began. For proper balance, make sure one piece of extra wire is on the front side of the glass and one piece is on the back.

2

Cut the wire from the spool, leaving three inches above the glass. Your glass piece should be wrapped in wire and beads and should have 2- to 3-inch long pieces of wire at the top. Gather the two pieces of wire and twist them together using the round nose pliers.

3

Thread the two remaining beads onto the twisted wire. Fold the remaining twisted wire down toward the pendant and create a hoop to hang the pendant. Secure the hoop by twisting the ends together with the round nose pliers. Tuck away any remaining wire ends.

4

Hang the pendant on the satin ribbon for wearing.