Baroque mother-of-pearl has its shifting highlights and its shapes that are never quite round. Here, it meets color: between each bead, a mauve, red, salmon, Catalina, or gold Miyuki seed bead. The classic becomes light and joyful. It is worn close to the neck, with the 24K fine gold-plated ring clasp clearly in front.
For a first bead necklace, successful on the very first try. Wear it alone with an open neckline, or layered with a fine gold chain.
Necessary tools: scissors, flat-nose pliers (pink flat-nose pliers) for crimping, measuring tape
Cut about 50 cm of nylon thread. This extra length leaves you room to work comfortably.
Thread on a crimp bead, then one side of the ring clasp. Pass the thread back through the crimp bead. Bring it up against the clasp, then crimp it with the flat-nose pliers.
Place the knot cover around the crimped bead. Close it gently with the flat-nose pliers for a neat finish.
Thread on a mother-of-pearl bead, a seed bead, a mother-of-pearl bead, a seed bead. Tuck the short starting thread into these first beads. Then trim the excess close to the beads.
Keep alternating: one mother-of-pearl bead, one seed bead. Vary the seed bead colors in whatever rhythm you like. Regular, random, or graduated: that's where the necklace takes on your signature.
Check the length of your stringing with the measuring tape. Here, the necklace is about 38 cm, a true choker.
Thread on a crimp bead, then the other side of the ring clasp. Pass the thread back through the crimp bead, then through the next three beads.
Pull on the thread to bring the beads closer together while keeping some flexibility. Then crimp the crimp bead with the flat-nose pliers.
Trim the excess thread close to the beads. Place the second knot cover over the crimped bead and close it gently.
The ring clasp is worn at the front: it is part of the necklace design. And it opens and closes right in front of you, without reaching behind the neck.
Keep a little flexibility in the thread. A necklace that is too tight hangs stiffly on the neck. With a little give, it moves with you.
For a calmer version, keep just one seed bead color: all in Galvanized Gold, and the mother-of-pearl takes on the look of evening jewelry. Or go for a mauve and salmon ombré, very soft against tanned skin.
With the remaining beads, make a matching bracelet using the same principle. You need about 18 cm of stringing.
Mother-of-pearl - softness and calm, according to tradition
To be reserved alone or with friends!
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