Layering components is a simple way to create texture in your jewelry designs. This necklace features a stainless steel butterfly layered over a shell pendant. The beaded bail connects the pendants to the necklace.
Here's a fun little project to start your week: String two 4mm crystals onto an eye pin. Bend the eye pin around round nose pliers to make a loop. String two more crystals onto the pin and make a loop. Cut a 1" piece of small cable chain and a 1 1/2" piece of chain. Thread one end of both chains onto the loop so the short piece is on the inside, then thread the other end onto the other loop (still with the short piece on the inside). Attach a big kidney ear wire to the loop in the center of the pin. Repeat to make a matching earring.
Guess who's the new host of Beads, Baubles & Jewels? I'm so excited to do the job, I can hardly wait until we tape the next series!
Some of you may have noticed a new button over there in the sidebar on my blog - it's for a new project I'm working on called Katie's Jewelry Personal Shopper. I'm partnering with Hot Off The Press to bring you a special jewelry making kit every month of the year.
A snapshot of what's happening in beading blogs this week:
This is an easy, elegant necklace using the Katiedids donut, Bead Ready™ wire and 4mm round crystals. Pass the wire through an outside hole and 15 crystals, then pass it through the first 7 crystals to form a beaded circle. Place the circle inside the component, then pass the wire end through the opposite hole. Adjust it so the component is at the center of the necklace, then attach the clasp.
The pendant is really dramatic! String 4mm crystals onto beading wire to form a circle and place it in one of the channels. Repeat for the other channel. Pass a head pin through a 8mm crystal and through the drilled holes on the component, then make a wrapped loop for a bail.
The long stick components make great earrings or you can incorporate them into necklace designs. For the earrings pictured here, I passed a head pin through 4mm crystals and the upper drilled hole to add extra movement.
