Glass Pearl and Crystal Bead Necklace and Earring Design Idea

by Mary Beth I.
(Raleigh, NC)

This beginner (jewelry making) project (glass pearl and crystal bead necklace and earring design idea) uses very basic stringing techniques.

I prefer tiger tail because it is durable, is very easy to string on and has a very simple finish.

Jewelry Making Supplies for Necklace

24 inches of medium gauge Tigertail (nylon coated wire). I always use extra to account for errors.

30 glass pearl beads - approx 6mm

8 faceted round czech glass or crystal beads in color of choice - approx 8mm

18 2mm or 3mm bicones in the same color as the crystal rounds

18 rondelles in a contrasting color

2 crimp beads

silver, gold or bronze daisy spacers

1 clasp that matches spacers


Jewelry Making Instructions - String Beads the Following Pattern:

END 1: t-bar end of clasp, crimp bead, one bicone and one rondelle.

Repeat this pattern 8x {3 pearls - rondelle - bicone - daisy spacer - czech round - daisy spacer - bicone - rondelle}.

END 2: three pearls, rondelle, bicone, loop end of clasp.

Finish both ends of necklace by looping the wire through the clasp, back through the crimp bead and through 2 - 3 of the beads on either end.

Crimp the beads tightly with flat nosed pliers or crimp tool.

Closely trip off excess ( I actually use a pair of nail clippers dedicated to jewelery making - it cuts much closer than the pliers and gives a cleaner finish).

Make sure any ends of tiger tail are tucked under beads and that the crimp beads are fastened very tightly.

The finished necklace should be about 18 inches.

Jewelry Making Supplies for Earrings:

1 pair of french wires in metal to match spacers and clasp on the necklace

2 headpins in metal to match spacers and clasp on the necklace

2 pearls identical to those used in the necklace

2 2mm - 3mm bicones either the same color as those used in the necklace or a contrasting color.

I used a more neutral contrasting colored bicone in the earrings so I could easily wear the earrings without the necklace.

2 large daisy spacers identical to those used in necklace

4 seed beads

Jewelry Making Instructions - Use the Following Pattern:

On a headpin place in the following order, a seed bead, bicone, daisy spacer, pearl and seed bead.

Finish by looping off with a needle nosed plier, trimming excess and attaching to french wire.

Close loops tightly so the finished headpin does not fall of the french wire.

The necklace is appropriate for work or evening wear. The earrings are more versatile and can be used during the day, casual or dressy and after five.

You can view another design for the earrings here: http://www.momanthology.com/2011/02/recent-beading-projects.html