Do you ever get in a crafting rut? Where you end up making similar things for a little while? I sure do. This can be good and bad. It’s good and economical if you use up materials you have – it’s bad if you end up with 4 or 5 ruffle shirts. Or 5 pairs of earrings. (Can you say Road Trip?? No, I did not show you all the earrings I made in the car. It was frankly ridiculous.)
Well I’m in the mood for pearls right now. Did you see the Follower Giveaway this month? Or what about the Lace and Pearl Bracelet? I really like that bracelet and I thought it would be fun to have a necklace like it. Not sure if I’ll wear them together – I don’t want to go all Madonna-y on you.
But it’s cute by itself . . .
I love the pearls and lace together. :) And I have a quick tutorial for you if you like it too!
(Disclaimer – I am not a jeweler. I am not an expert in all things wire. This is just the way I did it – but if you have a better way, feel free to leave advice in the comment section. I’d love to learn new tips.)
Materials:
- 2 sizes of pearls (I used a small part of these strands)
- hem facing lace (This was left over from the bracelet. So one package will make both!)
- 2 jump rings
- 2 crimp beads
- beading wire
- Optional – 2 other beads and 2 eye pins for embellishment (Not in the picture because they were a last minute add on)
Start by cutting two pieces of beading wire – 9″ and 11″. The strands aren’t this long, but this will give you 1 inch on each side to fold back over.
Wire cutters work well for this – but the beading wire is so thin that an old pair of scissors would work as well.
Thread one crimp bead onto both wires.
Thread a jump ring over both wires, then turn the wires and feed them back through the crimp bead. There should be about 1″ of wire fed back through.
Crimp your crimp bead tightly around the wires. I have a crimper tool for this – I think a pair of pliers might work too.
Now you have a nice flat crimp bead.
Start with the shorter wire and start threading on your smaller beads. At the end of the wire, feed them over the short wire and one of the 1″ wire pieces.
Keep threading until you have about 1″ of wire left.
Now repeat this process with the longer wire and the larger pearls. I will confess that to prevent the smaller wire from losing all it’s pearls, I held it in my teeth while I strung the other. There’s a mental image for you.
Thread your other crimp bead and jump ring on the ends and repeat what you did on the first side.
Thread the ends through the pearls so they are also tucked away.
Here’s where I decided it needed a little sumpin’ sumpin’ – so I added two accent beads to one side. I threaded a bead onto an eye pin – basically a wire with a head on the end of it, and curled the other end into a loop.
I added these to the ring on one side. I added lace to each ring by knotting it and leaving a little end, then I tried it on to see the lenth I wanted. I tied the bow off center, so it would show, and trimmed the ends. Voila! All done!
A closeup of the bow and beads –
And me – so you can see it on. Pardon the chicken neck.
There’s just something about pearls isn’t there? What should we use them for next? ;)
shelley Overhole says
So pretty! Thanks for the instructions:) ~Shelley O.
Annie says
I LOVE this. I want one! You always make stuff look so easy. You stink! :-)
The Answer Is Chocolate says
So pretty! I think you need to make a bracelet to go with.
Beverly says
Thanks! I did. ;) You can view the post here: http://www.flamingotoes.com/2010/06/lace-pearl-bracelet/
Sung-Hee (Regina) Hong says
Thanks so much for coming by and leaving a lovely comment, Beverly !
What a lovely necklace you made ! So elegant and classy !! Lovely !
Staci Johnson says
Wow!! You make it look so easy, and I think it’s just so dainty and elegant, love it!
Hannah says
Lovely!!!
Natasha says
Wow, you are so clever-that necklace is gorgeous! Great instructions too-I might give this a try.
Best wishes for a wonderful weekend,
Natasha.
mle says
The pearls & lace are so fun & flirty!! : )
somedaycrafts says
That is so pretty! I will feature it at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com today. I also featured some flipflops of yours today too!
Olivia says
This is such a cute idea! I must try DIY jewellery. :)
sydney says
another one i have to make. my list is getting longer AND longer. my goodness!!!
KJ says
I found you via Someday Crafts. Love this necklace!
Clara says
I found this through Someday Crafts… it’s beautiful!!!!
Jacqueline says
Tre cute! How easy is this one and I can imagine all kinds of variations. Thanks for sharing this.
Holly L says
Very elegant…I do love pearls! I may give this a go…I have pretty much all the supplies. Great tutorial!
Craft Envy says
This is adorable! I’ll be featuring this today, so make sure to stop by and grab a button! Thanks for linking up!
MarytheKay says
What a fun necklace–and a GREAT tutorial! My daughter would loooove making this!
I’m here from Between Naps on the Porch! Happy Monday :-)
Julia says
Thank you so much for this tutorial. This jewelry look is so popular right now. Im seeing it all over the place. But this is the first time I have seen how to make one. This is great.
Terrell says
Loving this!! thank you so much for the tutorial too…I have to get the items and make myself one, or 3 :)
~Terrell @ FrouFrouDecor~
Larissa says
I love this. SO feminine. I saw it on Craft envy.
I think this would make just about the most breathtaking homemade gift.
I am hosting a month long Christmas in July event, and I would love for you to come and link this up to this weeks linky party!
Hope to see you there.
Jessica Hills says
This is so pretty! Thanks for linking to FTF!
Stacey @ Fun to Craft says
Love this. So elegant! Featuring this…
alyssabeths says
Beautuful and creative!!!
Lyndsay says
This is GORGEOUS!! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing!!
Jenn says
First of all, what a beautifully crafted blog! The Anthropologie “knock-off” projects caught my eye and I have been bitten by the creative bug. This is by far my favorite (love pearls!) and thanks to your guidence, mine turned-out lovely. Thank you! :o)
Jessica says
So pretty thanks for the how to!
~Jessica
http://www.myhappinessexperiment.blogspot.com/
Kelly says
Thank you so much for posting this. I’ve been looking for a necklace like this for my bridesmaids and I just made it today. It is perfect and I was able to make it really easily.
Amy says
I love this! I just made one for my mom for her birthday with silver pearls and black lace! Turned out great!
Yulia says
Hi, thank you for sharing. Such a great tutorial! I posted your tutorial on my blog with a link back to your blog, hope it’s ok http://makeitandwearit.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/mothers-day-diy-gift.html.
Please write me if there is a problem [email protected].
International Decor says
really you have great ideas and pretty tastes :)
Italian corner says
thanks for sharing this good post
golden house says
wow! its amazing i like it. thank you
veterinary online says
very nice