Free Project: Dazzling Textures

Design by Rebekah Willis

These delicate pieces are proof that jewelry doesn’t have to be oversized to have texture and presence. Seed beads, pearls, crystals and other assorted beads make these pieces lightweight and comfortable to wear.

Materials

• Assorted lightweight beads including:
• 6mm faceted black crystals
• 4mm gold bicones, cream pearls, mother-of-pearl rondelles
• 8/0 gold and black seed beads
• 11/0 seed beads: black, cream, brown
• 4mm–6mm glass beads: black, cream, gold
• 2 gold crimp beads
• 2 gold head pins
• 2 gold eye pins
• 2 gold French ear wires
• Gold snap clasp
• 26 inches .015-inch-diameter 19-strand nylon-coated flexible beading wire
• Round-nose pliers
• Chain-nose pliers
• Crimp pliers
• Wire nippers

Finished Sizes
Necklace
25 1/4 inches
Earrings
1 1/2 inches long

Instructions

Necklace

1)	Cut a 26-inch length of beading wire. String a crimp bead 1/2 inch from end of wire; place wire end through one half of clasp and back through crimp bead. Crimp the crimp bead. String on an 8/0 seed bead and push it close to crimp bead; trim excess wire tail.
2)	String on desired assortment of beads until beaded section measures approximately 24 inches.
3)	String on an 8/0 seed bead, a crimp bead and remaining half of clasp; thread wire end back through crimp bead and several other beads. Crimp the crimp bead. Trim excess wire.

Earrings

1)	Thread an 11/0 black seed bead, 4mm gold bicone bead and an 11/0 black seed bead on an eye pin. Use round-nose pliers to form a loop above top bead; trim excess wire. Attach loop to ear wire; close loop with chain-nose pliers.
2)	Thread an 11/0 cream seed bead, 6mm faceted black crystal bead and an 11/0 cream seed bead on a head pin. Form a loop above top bead. Trim excess wire. Attach loop to bottom loop on beaded eye pin; close loop.
4)	Repeat steps 1 and 2 for second earring.