I seem to be very busy with several different projects, which need to stay secret for the time being! I really wanted to find something to post, so I hunted through my old files and found this little darling. I made it for a challenge in 2011 for the now defunct Australian Beading Forum. It was for a challenge titled ‘Home on the Range’ and I decided to make a very blingy Texan tie, or Cowboy tie. I gather that cowboys love lots of bling, so I think this might have been popular! All the crystals are Swarovsky, so it really does sparkle. The findings are copper, which always works so well with purple.
It is easy to make the wire cones using 0.8mm wire. Use the pointed end of a knitting needle, or some other improvised mandrel, to achieve the shape you want. Hold the end of the wire in place on the mandrel with pliers and wrap the wire around the mandrel, working towards the point. Make sure you file off the ends of the wire to make sure they are smooth and do not catch or scratch.