Introduction: Upcycle Broken Curtain Rings Into a Pendant
Hi! I am going to show you how I upcycled broken curtain rings and make it into a pendant. I like to find ways to use broken items and make them into something usable. These curtain rings were found in a parking lot crushed. At first I thought that most of them where intact, but only two where intact, the other's were broken in half. Since they are metal and they won't rust, I decided to use them to make pendants.
I also made a video, it's in the next step. Enjoy!
Step 1: Video
Step 2: Supplies
Things I Use:
- 2 broken curtain rings
- 16 gauge wire
- 20 gauge wire
- 26 gauge wire
- Round nose pliers
- Pliers
- Wire cutters
- Tape measure (optional, but I like to measure everything)
Step 3: Combining the Rings
I took two of the best half rings that fit the best together and wrapped the 16 gauge wire around the top portion of the rings. I didn't do any measurements for this step, but you just need enough to combine the two halves. I started wrapping on the round portion so the wire won't slip off. The bottom portion will "lock" together, but will be "tied" in a later step.
Step 4: Making The" Bridge"
I decided to to a "bridge" design. I used the 20 and 26 gauge wires. I cut two pieces of the 20 gauge wire, one around 8" long and the other around 9" long, it doesn't have to be exact. I cut about 37" of the 26 gauge wire, but needed more later on so I suggest cutting about 52".
Loop for the necklace (chain): For the first weave I wrap the wire about five times around the two 20 gauge wire strands. Then I wrapped it 4 times around the bottom strand, then 3 times around both strands. I then repeated it until I got about 1" done to make the loop for the chain to go through. Make sure to end the weave by having three wraps over the two base strands.
The" bridge": For this next weave, I did the basket weave. The basket weave consist of going over and under the base strands. I started by wrapping the wire once on the bottom strand, then going under the top strand and wrapping it twice over. Then I went under the bottom strand and wrapped it twice, then continue doing the same technique over until you get the right length from the top of the ring to the bottom.
Step 5: Putting It Together
I took the first weave and wrapped around a screwdriver to get perfectly round. I then wrapped the end once to secure it, then brought one stand over to the other side. I then took the two strands and wrapped around the top of the ring one each side. Then I took one of the bottom strands and wrapped it tightly around the "opening" of the ring to secure it in place. Then on the other side wrapped it around to secure it.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
I cut about 8.5" of the 18 gauge wire, bend it slightly in half and placed it in the middle of the "bridge". Then I wrapped it on the right side around and curled the edge. I did the same to the other side.
For the top part, I cut about 8.5" of the 18 gauge wire. I placed the middle portion on the back of the chain loop and wrapped around the base once, then took the strands and wrapped it around the rings on each side, then curled the strands.
Then you're done!
Step 7: Other Designs
I did several other designs before making this one. I have no pictures of the process, but the pictures do give you an idea of how it was made. The first design I was just trying to figure out what to with the rings, I kept this one simple. The second design I wanted to use just half of the ring, so this was the end product. The third design, I wanted to do the Tree of Life and ended up making it into a Rose Tree. And obviously the forth design being this tutorial. All of this were made using the same exact materials that I used in this tutorial.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial!