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Look like a leading lady in a powerfully feminine necklace.
You are strong, confident, and able to
see the big picture. The requisite for
such a woman of substance: substantial
accoutrements. Resin and java beads
accompanied by a huge silver pendant
loom large, but not heavy. One tempting
aspect about working with these
amazonian beads is that only a few are
necessary for a prominent piece.
Although less is rarely more, when it
comes to big beads, the truism works.
So, go ahead - live large. |
necklace
- large silver pendant, approx. 40-55mm (The Bead Goes On, 866-861-2323, beadgoeson.com)
- 2 14 x 20mm silver accent beads
- 10 14-18mm java or resin beads (green java from The Bead Goes On, pink resin from Natural Touch Beads,
707-935-7049, naturaltouchbeads.com)
- 16-in. (41cm) strand 3-5mm java or resin beads (The Bead Goes On)
- 12 6-8mm flat spacers
- flexible beading wire, .024
- 2 crimp beads
- silver toggle clasp (clasp on pink necklace from Saki Silver, 513-861-9626, sakisilver.com)
- chainnose or crimping pliers
- diagonal wire cutters
earrings
- 2 14 x 20mm silver accent beads
- 4 3-5mm java or resin beads, left over from necklace
- 4 or 8 4mm flat spacer beads
- 2 21/2-in. (6.4cm) plain or decorative head pins
- pair of earring wires
- chainnose and roundnose pliers
- diagonal wire cutters
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Determine the finished
length of your necklace. (The green
necklace is 16 in./41cm; the pink,
18 in./46cm.) Add 6 in. (15cm) and
cut a piece of beading wire to that
length. Center the pendant on the
wire and string 3-5mm beads on
each side until they extend beyond
the edges of the pendant. |
 On each end, string a 14-18mm
bead, spacer, 14-18mm bead, spacer,
accent, and a spacer. |
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 On each end, string an alternating
pattern of three 14-18mm beads and
three spacers. String 3-5mm beads on
each end until the strand is within 1 in.
(2.5cm) of the desired length. |
 On each end, string a crimp bead,
3-5mm bead, and half the clasp. Go
back through the beads just strung
and tighten the wire. Check the fit,
and add or remove beads from each
end if necessary. Crimp the crimp
beads (Basic Techniques p. 106) and
trim the excess wire. |
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String a spacer (optional)
3-5mm bead, spacer, accent, spacer,
3-5mm bead, and a spacer (optional)
on a head pin. Make a wrapped loop
(Basic Techniques) above the top bead. |
Open the loop on an earring wire
and attach the dangle. Close the loop.
Make a second earring to match
the first. |
Are you an experienced beader/designer, or are your venturing for the first time into the wonderful, colorful world of beads? Either way, The Beaded Giraffe is your "beading place" in Bethesda.