To tell you the truth, I’m not a HUGE fan of summer. I’m a child of the cooler months – Spring and Autumn to be more precise. Bugs, sunburn, heat and humidity are not my thing.
But when I recently received a box of beading goodness from Blue Moon Beads and saw the beautiful shells all I could think about was summer, green grass, blue skies and the beach, and I knew I needed to make a piece of jewelry to say goodbye to Summer as Fall is quickly closing in on us.
Supplies:
- Shell pieces
- Jasper Strand
- Assorted Hammered, Silver, Metal(this project uses the smaller ones)
- Assorted Findings – 2 packages
- Assorted Eye Pins
- Silver Fine Cable Chain
- Blue crystal bead soup*
- Two hole punch
Here is a closer shot of the packages with assorted items in them. I like the way they are packaged since everything comes in a small zip close bag. The package on the left contains crimp beads, oval jump rings in three sizes, lobster clasps, round clasps and beading wire. The package on the right contains 3 different sizes of headpins.
Ok, let’s get start beading!
Begin with the strand that has the large shells. Cut a length of beading wire to about 11 inches and string as follows: 4 crystals with a crimp bead in between each, a large shell, 4 crystals… repeat 7 times (so that there are seven shells).
Add TWO crimp beads just before the last crystal on each side.
Pass the wire though TWO of the smallest oval jump rings ( I use two jump rings to make the necklace more secure), back into the last bead and down through several other beads. Crimp the last crimp bead you added to the strand on each side to finish off this section.
Next, attach a medium oval jump ring. Create segments for the necklace that consist of two round green beads and finish with a simple loop. You’ll need 4 of these segments on each side separated by a large oval jump ring. Set aside.
For the second strand you’ll need to make 9 more of the two round bead on a head pin segments.
Using the two hole punch create a hole in the smallest, hammered silver discs opposite the hole that is already there and create a chain as shown above with the middle size oval jump ring.
Set aside.
For the third strand create small segments with three crystals on a head pin. I used a smaller crystal on each end with a larger one in the middle. Connect 18 segments with small oval jump rings.
Let’s put it all together. Cut 6 pieces of chain to 3 1/2 inches. Attach a length of chain to each end of all three strands. Bring the chain on one side of the necklace together on a medium oval jump ring and attach one half of the lobster clasp.
Repeat for the second side.
Put the necklace on someones neck or a neck form to see how it lays. You may have to make the chain segments shorter depending on where you want your necklace to fall.
Go back over the necklace to make sure all jump rings are closed and smooth so they won’t catch on your clothing and you are finished.
Remind me in January about this necklace. You know, so I can think of the beach while I’m wading through two feet of snow! :)
*Blue Crystal Bead Soup is a small jar of various shades of blue crystal beads that I have left over from previous projects. I used 86 beads for the whole project.
*Disclosure: Product for this project provided by Blue Moon Beads.
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So pretty Vicki!! Amazing as always!! :)
Hi Angie, Thank you for the compliment. I really appreciate it. :)
WOW! I would never have the patience to make such an amazing necklace……but with your tutorial, I may just muster up the courage. Beautiful!
Thank you Kim! If you need any help or have questions just let me know, maybe I can help over Skype or a Google Hangout. :)
I love the shell beads. I just have a thing for them! The color palette is gorgeous. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Thank you, Heather. I’ll have to see if I still have it on hand when I see you at Winter CHA. ;)
This is awesome! You know, I’ve always been afraid of using crimp beads? Seriously. And I felt dumb asking how! Thanks for sharing… I may have to dig up some crimp beads and start a new project!!
Hi Carolina,
Thank you! I don’t usually use crimp beads in the middle of a design but this one really needed a touch of silver in between the other beads.
Never feel dumb for not knowing how to do something. Heck, there are LOTS of things in this world I don’t know how to do. If you need any help just shoot me an email. Maybe we can do a google hangout or a skype call and I can show you 1 on 1 how it’s done. I’d be happy to show you! :)
V
Oh this piece is stunning…I would so wear this piece…does remind me of the ocean and I can almost smell the water…lol
Hi Dawn,
Thank you for the lovely compliment! I’m glad you like it. :)
Beautiful! Love those green beads – the circular ones are an awesome color. And you combined everything smashingly!
Thank you, Amy. You seem like a green kind of gal to me.
This is really pretty Vicki, the colors are just wonderful! I want to get into jewelry, it’s on my crafting bucket list, if there can be such a thing! :)
Sure, why not? I like the idea of a crafting bucket list. It might keep me from wanting to try everything RIGHT NOW! :)
So lovely and summery…it reminds me of Mexico! : )
Thank you Jenny. I’ll have to get there some day to check it out for myself. Road trip? :)
Simply beautiful!
Thank you Jen, I appreciate that! :)