of wisdom

Silver chain lends a smart look to classic pearls by Beth Stone

Pearls

Chain is both a beautiful and functional way to accent a beaded necklace, and its particularly elegant when incorporated with pearls. The style and weight of chain you select influence the finished look. I like the subtlety of delicate chain, but you can choose larger, rectangular links to convey a modern look. You can also experiment with different beads, patterns, and lengths of chain. Enjoy the possibilities.

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small dangle center dangle

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2. Cut six 12-in. (1.3cm) pieces of chain, each with an equal number of links. To attach the dangles to the chain, make the first half of a wrapped loop (Basic Techniques, p. 88) above the end bead on each head pin. Connect two sections of chain to a small dangle. Repeat with another small dangle and the center dangle. Cut a 2-in. (5cm) piece of chain for the clasp extender and connect it to the remaining small dangle. Complete the wraps on each dangle.

C
3. Determine the finished length of your necklace, add 6 in. (15cm), and cut a piece of beading wire to this length. Center the longest dangle on the wire with a 6mm bead between the top links.

Both necklaces are adjustable, measuring 15 to 20 in. (38-51cm). 1. String three head pins with a 6mm accent bead, disc spacer, and 4mm accent bead (small dangle). String a fourth head pin with a 6mm bead, disc spacer, 4mm accent bead, flat spacer, and 6 or 3mm bead (center dangle).

E D
5. String a 4mm pearl, two flat spacers, two 4mm pearls, three flat spacers, three 4mm pearls, disc spacer, 6mm bead, and disc spacer on each end. 4. On each side of the center dangle, string a 4mm pearl, a flat spacer, and another 4mm pearl. String a small dangle with a 6mm bead between the top links as before.

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6. String three 4mm pearls, three flat spacers, two 4mm pearls, two flat spacers, a 4mm pearl, disc spacer, 6mm bead, and disc spacer on each end. 7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 one more time. String part of the pattern in step 5 again to reach the desired length. Check the fit and add or remove beads as needed.

SupplyList
16-in. (41cm) strand 4mm potatoshaped pearls 16-in. strand 6mm pearls or 12 or more 6mm round Swarovski crystals 4 6mm round accent beads 4 4mm round accent beads 3mm accent pearl (optional) 1 ft. (31cm) chain (with links large enough for clasp) 50 3 or 4mm flat spacers 20 or more 4 x 5mm disc spacers 4 3mm round beads 4 212-in. (6cm) head pins 2 crimp beads lobster claw clasp flexible beading wire, .014 or .015 chainnose and roundnose pliers crimping pliers (optional) diagonal wire cutters

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8. On one end, string a 3mm round bead, crimp bead, 3mm bead, and the end link of the clasp extender. Go back through the last few beads strung and crimp the crimp bead (Basic Techniques). Trim the excess wire.

9. To finish the other end, repeat step 8 with the clasp instead of the extender. Contact Beth Stone at bnshdl@msn.com or (248) 855-9358.
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