Winter sparkle

Chase the winter blues away with this colourful crystal necklace. By Linda Whitefield, Bead Shop Scotland

Designer

MATERIALS

56 x 4mm amethyst crystals
56 x 4mm fuchsia crystals
56 x 4mm blue zircon crystals
70 x 4mm siam light crystals
50 cm of 0.18 21 strand clear Flexrite wire
0.10 monofilament illusion cord
17 silver plated brushed lentils

2 x silver plated 1 inch headpins
2 x silver plated calottes
2 x silver plated 5mm jumprings
1 silver plated lobster clasp
2 x silver plated ear-wires
Chain nose pliers
Wire cutters
Round nose pliers
Hypo cement glue

Step 1

To make the sparkly balls cut 25cm of 0.10 illusion cord. Thread 3 x 4mm Siam light crystals onto the centre of the cord. Now thread on a fourth 4mm Siam light crystal and pass both tails of the illusion cord through the crystal in opposite directions. Now thread on 2 x 4mm crystals separately onto each side of the cord, thread on another 4mm crystal and pass both tails of the cord through the crystal in opposite directions. Repeat these steps until you have 12 crystals on the cord, ending in 2 crystals.

Step 2

To complete the crystal ball take the ends of the cord and pass both tails of the illusion cord through the very first crystal in opposite directions. Pull this tight to form a ball. Now pass the remaining strands one at a time through the next crystal on each side of the first; this strengthens the beadwork. When you have completed this step simply tie an overhand knot, place a dot of Hypo Cement glue onto the knot, tie another knot for security pull this tight. Tuck the remaining cord through the opposite crystal and trim for neatness.

Step 3

Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have 5 Siam light balls (2 of which will be used for the earrings), 4 Fuchsia balls,4 Blue Zircon balls and 4 Amethyst balls.

Step 4

Next cut 50cm of 0.18 Flexrite wire and thread on a callotte onto the end of the wire. Thread 2 crimps onto the wire and squeeze flat. Close the callotte over the crimps. Place the round nose pliers into the tip of the stem of the callotte and curl over to form a loop. Open a jumpring and attach to calotte.

Step 5

Now thread on the following: 1 x 4mm Siam light crystal followed by a Siam light crystal ball, 4mm Siam light crystals and then a silver plated brushed lentil bead. Follow the colour pattern in the photograph, placing a lentil bead in between each one and finally finishing off with an Amethyst crystal ball and a 4mm Amethyst crystal. Finish the necklace with a calotte and add a jumpring and lobster clasp by repeating the instructions in step 4.

Step 6

Onto an 1 inch headpin thread 1x 4mm Siam light crystal, a Siam light crystal ball and another 1 x 4mm Siam light crystal. With the round nose pliers bend the pin over to a right angle. With the tips of the pliers roll the wire to form a loop and hook onto the earwire. Repeat these steps on the other head pin.

Resources:

All beads and supplies are available from The Bead Shop Scotland: www.beadshopscotland.co.uk | 01620 82 2886