Ooooh. The Claw.

Here's a new and strange design, whipped up today as a satisfying Sunday project.  An antique clawfoot of cast bronze, used as a very ornate, bizarrely cool pendant.

Here's the story.  This little antique (my great-grandmother's coffee table) has been on a shelf in the garage for many years.

Because two claw feet were missing.  (Sniff.)  But!  We recently found four other feet that match, and Jeff will be restoring the piece.

Meantime, I swiped the beautiful 100-year-old claws for this necklace, featuring some gorgeous porcelain beads.

Want to DIY?  Here comes a quick look at what I did to convert The Claw into The Pendant.

The claw has two holes.  Using a headpin and two spacer beads -

I made a small wrapped loop poking out from each side of the claw.

(For a step-by-step on wrapped loops,  click here.)

Then I used those two loops to attach the porcelain beads like a chain.  Just turn each bead into a link with simple loops on both ends, and connect them with jumprings.

I added a long chain, and my super shmancy, carnivorous clawfoot necklace was done!  Yes, 'tis a little bit weighty, but because the claw and beads are hollow, still quite wearable!

Interesting note: the two holes in the clawfoot are offset.  Did you notice?  One is about 3/8 inch higher than the other.  (Why?   So the screws that attach them to furniture don't meet in the middle.)  I hid the imbalance by staggering my beads, and making nearly imperceptibly larger loops on the links for the short side.

See, I tell you all my secrets!

So now, as you prowl for materials to upcycle, you must be sure to keep an eye out for claws.  Not an easy prey to hunt, certainly...but what a delightful day it will be when you score one!

(Resources update: reader Shannon found some nicely priced reproduction claws online, and left a comment with the link.  You are too sweet, Shannon!  Also, if anyone wants to snap up some of those gorgeous green beads on sale, I bought them right here.)