Baroque mother-of-pearl has shifting reflections and 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 is made light and joyful. It is worn close to the neck, with the 24K fine gold ring clasp clearly visible at the front.
For a first bead necklace, successful on the first try. Wear it alone with an open neckline, or layered with a fine gold chain.
Tools needed: scissors, flat pliers (pink flat pliers) for crimping, tape measure
Cut about 50 cm of nylon thread. This extra length gives 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 pliers.
Place the cord end around the crimp bead. Close it gently with the flat pliers for a clean finish.
Thread on a mother-of-pearl bead, a seed bead, a mother-of-pearl bead, a seed bead. Pull the short starting thread back through these first beads. Then trim the excess flush.
Keep alternating: a mother-of-pearl bead, a seed bead. Vary the seed bead colors according to the rhythm you like. Regular, random, or gradient: that is where the necklace takes on your signature.
Check the length of your stringing with the tape measure. 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 pliers.
Cut the excess thread flush with the beads. Place the second cord end over the crimp 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 before your eyes, without reaching behind the nape of the neck.
Keep a little flexibility in the thread. A necklace that is too tight sits stiffly on the neck. With a little give, it moves with you.
For a more understated version, keep to a single seed bead color: all in Galvanized Gold, and the mother-of-pearl takes on the look of evening jewelry. Or play with a mauve and salmon gradient, 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 soothing, according to tradition
To be reserved alone or with friends!
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