Jewelry for Mother's Day
Easy Instructions to Make Necklace for your Mother's Special Day
Apr 14, 2007
Mother's Day is right around the corner and let's face it , as cute as they are, after a few years the macaroni necklaces or button pins start to lose a little bit of allure. This year make Mom a beautiful glass pearl and 'diamond' necklace.
This necklace is amazingly easy to make and depending on it's length should only take about 15 minutes to make and cost less than $10 to buy the supplies. To follow is the basic shopping list - all of these items can be found at either WalMart, JoAnn Fabric's (those with a craft department) or a craft store such as Michael's or AC Moore:
- 12mm (approximately 1/2 inch in diameter) round white glass pearls. The pearls used to make the necklace shown in the image on this page are Darice brand purchased at WalMart. For a 16 inch necklace buy 2 bags; if you are making an 18 inch necklace - buy three. Darice has a web presence for wholesale purchasing. Regardless, viewing the pearls on their website will give you an idea as to their appearance.
- 4mm (approximately 1/16 inch wide) rondelle spacers set with crystals. Not quite sure what a rondelle is? Check out Fire Mountain Gem's rondelle page so that you have some idea of what a rondelle looks like prior to going to the craft store to buy your supplies. Buy the same number of rondelles as pearls.
- Sturdy, thick white or clear thread such as beading thread, tiger tail or button thread
- Needle, if need be, to help the thread to go through the holes in the pearls and rondelles
- (2) 12 inch lengths of very thin white satin or silk ribbon
- Tube of quick set glue
- Optional - alligator clip
This necklace is made using a very simple beading technique. Cut a length of the sturdy thread that is equal to the length of your necklace plus twelve inches. If the hole in your glass pearls and rondelles is large enough, it is recommended that you double up the thread for beading. Then just start placing the pearls and rondelles on the thread alternating pearl and rondelle.
Besides being attractive and adding flash to the necklace, the purpose of the rondelle is to take the place of knotting your thread between pearls as would normally be done with a pearl necklace. As you are beading, take care that the pearls and rondelles do not fall off the opposite end of the thread. One suggestion - attach an alligator clip to the opposite end to keep this from happening.
To keep the weight manageable for the thread It is suggested that this necklace not be any longer than 18 inches. When you have reached your desired beaded length trim the end of your thread to six inches on either side.
Tie both ends of the button thread to a length of the white ribbon in a sturdy knot. Place a few dots of the quick set glue on the knot itself. Allow the glue to completely dry (let it sit for about an hour) then trim the tails of the knot as close to the knot as possible.
Voila - you are done. The necklace is tied loosely around Mother's neck making a bow in the back with the white satin ribbon.
Alternatively, this necklace can be finished with either a Scrimp or crimp bead. Click here for more information.
