Time to dig the seed beads out again – these retro beauts are enjoying a bit of a moment. Designer Charlotte Smith has used one of our fave colour palettes – neon and grey – and created a subtle chevron arrow to add just the right amount of statement to summer shorts and tees. This technique is really easy once you get the hang of it so go wild with your own patterns and colour combos.
This project was created by Charlotte for Mollie Makes magazine – for more easy-make craft projects and creative inspiration, subscribe to Mollie or click here to find out more.
Materials
- Selection of coloured seed beads
- 0.81mm (20 gauge) wire
- 4mm (1⁄4") jump rings
- Fine link chain
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
Cut 14 pieces of wire to 10cm (4") long and make a loop at one end. To do this, place the very end of the wire between the tip of your round nose pliers. Hold the wire tightly in one hand (but not so tight you can’t move it) and twist the pliers away from you to form the loop.
Now for the fun part – threading the beads! You can choose whatever pattern you like but we went with the following, starting with the central row and working outwards. You’ll need one set of Row 1 and two sets of Rows 2-7.
Take the last piece of wire and thread on a seed bead, then a wire, a seed bead, a wire and so on, until all the pieces of wire are attached. Add one final seed bead and make a loop, as per Step 1, to close.
Take two pieces of wire approximately 4cm (1 /8") long and make a loop at one end of each. Add eight seed beads in any colour and order and make a loop at the other end to close.
Attach these to the main necklace using4mm(1⁄4")jump rings. To open the jump ring take it between two pairs of pliers, making sure the opening is at the top. Twist the sides of the ring in opposite directions (towards and away from you). Attach the loop of the main necklace and the beaded wire to the ring, and close it by twisting back together in the opposite direction to which you opened it.
Cut a piece of fine chain to around 63cm (24/8"). Attach to the beaded wires with 4mm jump rings, using the same technique as in Step 5. It should be long enough to slip over your head.
