BeginnerprojectEarthy

statementMix and match colored stones for drama

by Carol McKinney

The chic statement necklaces that are populating fashion magazines rely heavily on faux gems. If your style message is earthier, Mother Nature offers all the color you need. Choose a couple of large stones as focal points and finish your strand with smaller stones in matching or contrasting colors.

1necklace • Cut a piece of beading wire (How-Tos).

On the wire, string: 8 mm round bead, 25–40 mm gemstone, 8 mm, 25–40 mm, 8 mm.

2On one end, string 3–4 in. (7.6–10 cm) of rondelles, 10 mm

rounds, and 12 mm rounds. On the other end, string rounds and rondelles until the strand is within 1 in. (2.5 cm) of the finished length.

3On each end, string an 8 mm and attach the clasp (How-Tos). 4On a head pin, string a 15–20

mm gemstone. Make the first half of a wrapped loop (How-Tos).

5Attach the dangle and half of the clasp. Complete the wraps.

facetjewelry.comFCT-

SR-0

5081

7-02

©2009 Kalmbach Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.

Tips• Gemstones in this necklace: dyed jade and blue crackle agate from Eclectica, 262.641.0910; China chrysoprase, green tourmalated quartz, petrified green opal, and Peruvian blue opal from Lima Beads, limabeads.com.• When I was deciding on the focal pieces for the green version of this necklace, I experimented with a carved jade bead. I loved the way it looked, but in the end, I thought the necklace needed the pop of the blue wedge-shaped stone.

Design alternativeA multicolored, graduated strand of Soochow jade gives you a ready-made mix of shapes and colors. Instead of adding other stones, I strung copper wire components for a metallic accent. Jade beads and copper triangles from Lima Beads, limabeads.com.

Suppliesnecklace 17 in. (43 cm)◆ 2 25–40 mm gemstones◆ 15–20 mm gemstone ◆ 6 –12 12 mm gemstone rondelles◆ 10 –18 12 mm round gemstones◆ 16 –24 10 mm round gemstones◆ 5 8 mm round gemstones ◆ flexible beading wire, .014 or .015◆ 2-in. (5 cm) head pin ◆ 2 crimp beads◆ hook-and-eye clasp◆ chainnose and roundnose pliers◆ diagonal wire cutters ◆ crimping pliers (optional)

earrings◆ 2 10 mm round gemstones◆ 2 8 mm round gemstones ◆ 5 in. (13 cm) long-and-short

chain, 12 and 5 mm links◆ 4 2-in. (5 cm) head pins◆ pair of earring wires◆ chainnose and roundnose pliers◆ diagonal wire cutters

For gemstone sources, see Tips. Check your local bead store for supplies.

Carol McKinneyCarol is a jewelry designer from Amarillo, Texas. While her greatest beading challenge is just finding the time to create, she managed to carve out some time in her studio for this necklace, inspired by a serenade from the birds in her backyard.

1 earrings • Cut a piece of chain with four long links. On a head

pin, string a 10 mm round bead and make the first half of a wrapped loop (How-Tos). Make a bead unit with an 8 mm round bead.

2On each end of the chain, attach a bead unit and

complete the wraps. Open the loop of an earring wire (How-Tos) and attach the second link of the chain. Close the loop. Make a second earring to match the first. ✳