Orange, pink, blue, and opaline white Bohemian beads, in every shape and size, punctuated with small gold-plated brass beads in 24K fine gold. Nothing matches, and that is the whole spirit of this choker necklace: an almost organic look, laid flat on a circular template, then strung on wire thread. Just the thing to bring some color to back-to-school season.

To brighten up a simple outfit in soft colors, like a sky-blue shirt, or to stand up to a red sweater.

A circle printed to the necklace length, so you can lay out your choker flat at actual size. Print it at 100%: the control bar should measure 10 cm.

Choose your Bohemian beads by mixing shapes, sizes, and colors. Here, nothing matches: that is intentional. Slide the ridged spacers and gold-plated brass bicones between the Bohemian beads, like little touches of light.

Print the 38 cm template at actual size. The pink area at the top of the circle measures about 2 cm: it is reserved for the clasp, crimp beads, and knot covers.

Place the beads centered on the line. It is the thread, at the heart of the beads, that gives the necklace its length. Move things around, shift them back, adjust. You are looking for an almost organic look, neither symmetrical nor regular.

Cut about 50 cm of wire thread. That is enough for the two clasp attachments and the return through the beads, without wasting any.

Thread on a crimp bead, then one side of the ring clasp. Pass the thread back through the crimp bead. Bring it snug against the clasp, then crimp it with the flat pliers. Keep the small bit of thread that sticks out: you will hide it in the first beads.

Place a knot cover around the crimp bead, right in the recess. Close it with several small squeezes, never all at once: it would warp. It should roll smoothly between your fingers.

String the beads in the order shown on the template, starting from the clasp. The first beads go over the thread end and hide it. Recreate your composition bead by bead, without skipping any: the template keeps the necklace harmonious.

Thread on a crimp bead, then the second side of the ring clasp. Pass the thread back through the crimp bead, then through the last three beads of the necklace.

Gently pull on the thread to remove the spaces between the beads. Keep some flexibility: a thread that is too tight makes the necklace stiff and wears the beads down.

Crimp the bead, cut the excess thread flush, then place the second knot cover the same way as on the first side.

Perles Corner tip

A choker is worn in the round: you might as well assemble it in the round. On the template, you can immediately see the center front, the sides, and where the clasp goes. But a necklace that looks natural does not happen by chance: you need to avoid repeats and overly rhythmic sequences.

Before stringing, look for four flaws: an area that is too light, a pattern that repeats, large shapes grouped on one side, or two strong colors side by side. Fix them one by one. Then take a photo of your composition and turn it to black and white: without color, the imbalances stand out immediately.

Variants & combinations

Keep the same composition on the 40 cm template for a slightly more flexible choker. For a more understated look, replace the vivid mix with a gradation of two or three shades of Bohemian beads.

And for a matching set, pair it with the Flora earrings — mother-of-pearl flower and Bohemian beads, also made with Bohemian beads.