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A fellow crafting friend gave me the idea to make a drop style necklace, using the clasp loop as a design feature and featuring a hanging chain with charms You can then wear the necklace either as a double or single strand and the clasp becomes part of the design of the necklace She also provided me with a lovely medallion "may you always have a shell in your pocket and sand between your toes" which inspired the shell charm Thanks Cindy for the inspiration!  Supplies Aventurine beads (purchased online from Fire Mountain Gems) in the 10mm size 2 and 4 mm beads (4mm are czech glass beads which have multiple colours in them to add dimension) a decorative clasp and fine small linked chain 24 guage silver coated wire ************************************************** These supplies were purchased at the big box craft store beginning with an "M" and ending with "s" I used my weekly coupon which I downloaded on my iphone and saved 10% on my total purchase Use your coupons! The bead segments are made by cutting a 2 inch piece of silver coated wire then each segment is joined using the wire wrapping technique placing pieces of chain in between groups of segments In the example, the chain between the bead segments is doubled Cut approx 4 inches of chain and then double it to add 2 inches to the necklace To attach the charms double the chain and use O rings to join the chain to the loop and bead charms Use spacers between the beads on the headpin use a round ended headpin for each of the charms Use silver balls and squares shapes and a shell charm for the silver accents! for a beautiful and natural look By using your own beads, in the styles and shapes that you chose this necklace becomes your own unique style Approximately 3.5 hours for this project and lots of compliments received I have taught this technique to my beading class and they are enjoying their own variations of the theme  I have two bowls full of shells I collected (and placed in my pockets while on the beach) on trips to Florida, Spain and Prince Edward Island which I lovingly display in my home to remind me of the joy of going barefoot in the sand
  Necklace in a single strand (but doubled over as it was too long to fit in the photo) This necklace is 24 inches in length (double strand) The matching bracelet in a hugs and kisses style (without the top embellishment row) Aventurine beads from an online supplier Add spacers between each of the bigger beads and 8.0 seed beads to each end of the "grouping" of beads so the wire wrap would not get covered over by the bigger hole of the bead potentially causing a gap to appear on the post Add the chain directly to the wire wrap using ''o'' rings to connect and it an add interest to the piece. Make it a "design style".   Add some charms to the end of the necklace.  The finished product with a lobster claw at the join (above the dangling charms). The wearer can then attach it together at any interval along the length of the necklace for a longer or shorter length   There are many variations on the same theme: a drop style necklace using various types and sizes of beads, using a bar and toggle clasp or a lobster claw (shown in the far right grey necklace) Make it long so your can wear it either as a double OR as a single strand Make it uniquely yours... Be creative and have FUN! Comment Form is loading comments...
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