Tutorial: Crystal Statement Necklace

• 13 oval faceted beads ours were 1.5cm long
• 12 round faceted 8mm bead
• 10 8mm plain round beads
• 2 teardrop faceted beads
• crimps
• calottes
• tiger tail
• chunky chain
• lobster clasp
• connector chain
• headpins
• 5mm jump rings.

Step 1

Layout all your beads in a rough design, it helps to do this first rather than jump straight in as it gives you an idea of what you’ll need to prep.

Step 2

Starting with the largest beads, place one bead onto a headpin and create a wrapped loop. With larger heavier beads it’s always worth wrapping the loop because it makes them extra secure. Prepare 11 beads this way

Step 3

Take 11 faceted beads, add onto the headpin and create a simple loop and use this to attach one small bead to each wrapped loop of the larger beads. Now you can start  threading. Cut a piece of tiger tail approx 30cm long and then thread your first statement bead followed by a small round bead at either side. Repeat this step, add a statement bead then small bead, working outwards until all beads have been used up

Step 4

Place your finishing beads. It looks good if you gradually taper your beads off rather than just stop and add the calottes. We had a play around with our necklace and decided on a large oval bead followed by a teardrop shape bead to finish.

Step 5

Add a calotte and crimp to close and secure the tiger tail in place.

Step 6

Cut two lengths of chain. We made our necklaces 45cm long, to determine the length of the chain we measured the length of our beads, took that measurement from 45cm and divided the result by 2, as it happened each length was 15cm which made the maths much easier.

Step 7

Fix chain to beads with a 5mm jump ring

Step 8

Add a lobster clasp to the left side of the chain with a 5mm jumping and then a piece if connector chain 5cm long, with the last faceted bead attached, to the right side.