SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- John Bead Czech Seed Beads Size 11/0 Opaque Metallic Gold
- 4mm Glass Pearls
- Alphabet Beads
- 19 Strand Beading Wire
- 2x2 Crimp Tube
- Bead Tip Clamshell, Silver
- Jump Rings
- Star Chain
- 12mm Sliver Lobster Claw Clasp
- Chain Nose Pliers
- Flush Cutters
DIRECTIONS:
- To create the necklace, use flush cutters to cut 18-20" of beading wire. Compress flat a 2x2 crimp tube onto one end of the wire. Thread the beading wire through the open end of a clamshell finding. Trim any excess beading wire that would stick out from above the clamshell. Close the clamshell with chain noise pliers.
- String in the following pattern onto the beading wire: Pearl, S11, Pearl, S11, Pearl, S11, Pearl
- (13) S11 beads.
- Repeat for a total of (5) repeats.
- String A beads to spell out the name or word of your choice. Space each A bead with an S11 bead.
- Repeat the above pattern in reverse to finish the other side of your necklace.
- To close, string on a clamshell finding, this time bringing your beading wire through the hole from the closed side. String a 2x2 crimp tube. Let the tube sit inside the clamshell.
- Tip: use gravity to assist here by holding up the beading wire above the crimp. Compress the crimp tube inside the clamshell and trim excess wire using flush cutters. Use chain nose pliers to close the clamshell.
- Use chain nose pliers to attach a 6mm jump ring and lobster claw clasp to the rings of the clamshell finding on one side of the necklace.
- Finish the other side of the necklace with a 6mm ring.
- Optional: Create a unique, adjustable chain. Open a package of Star Link chain and cut the tiny jump rings between two of the bar segments. Save the rest of the chain and the stars to use later as charms. Link the two bars as follows: (6mm jump ring, 4mm jump ring, bar, 4mm jump ring, 6mm jump ring) two times, or to desired length.
- To create a matching bracelet, repeat the above steps with beading wire, crimp tube and a clamshell finding, but use a shorter length of beading wire, approximately 8-9". String S11 beads to just before the middle of your desired bracelet length. String Pearl, S11, Pearl, S11, Pearl. Then string an equal number of S11 beads to match the first side of the bracelet. Go through a clamshell finding in the same manner described for the necklace, compressing a crimp tube inside the clamshell and closing with chain nose pliers. Attach a 6mm jump ring and lobster claw clasp to one side. Attach a 6mm jump ring to a 4mm jump ring with a star charm (leftover from the optional necklace extender above) to the other side of the bracelet.
ABBREVIATIONS
Pearl, 4mm Pearl Bead
S11, Size 11/0 Seed Bead
A, Alphabet Bead
JOANN HACKS:
- Finish with any chain or clasp of your choice.