Jewelry Project: Make-It-Yourself Wedding Necklace

Are you (or someone you know) planning a wedding? This beautiful necklace will be right at home as part of any wedding wardrobe. Make one for yourself, or for your bride, and one each for the bridesmaids to coordinate their looks. The beads used in the sample are red, but heart-shaped beads come in many colors so you can match your wedding colors.

This design also doubles as a Valentine's Day necklace. Make several for your friends, co-workers, aunts, daughters and granddaughters. And don't forget to make one for yourself.

Size: 18 inches long

Beads and Components

17 - 10 x 9 mm glass heart beads, side drilled
16 - 8 mm silver colored heart beads
17 - 2" silver colored eye pins
18 - 4 mm silver colored jump rings
1 - medium silver colored spring ring clasp

Note: Sterling silver, silver plated, or gold colored beads and components may be substituted for silver-colored components listed above.

Tools

Two pair miniature or small round nose pliers
One set miniature or small wire cutters
Miniature file set to clean up sharp edges on cut wire

Instructions:

Step 1: (Group A, make 9) Slide one glass bead onto eye pin, trim eye pin to 3/8 inch from bead, form loop. Be sure loops are parallel to one another. Twist loop if necessary.

Step 2: (Group B, make 8) Slide one silver heart bead, narrow end first, onto eye pin. Slide on glass heart bead, then slide on second silver bead, wide end first. Trim eye pin to 3/8 inch from bead. Form loop, twisting if necessary to ensure loops are parallel to one another.

Step 3: Beginning at one end of necklace, open jump ring, slide small joining loop of spring ring and one loop of a Group a assembly. Close jump ring.

Step 4: Open new jump ring. Slide remaining loop of Group A assembly and one loop of a Group B assembly onto jump ring. Close jump ring.

Step 5: Repeat Step 4, alternating Group A and Group B assemblies until all groups are used. Add jump ring to free loop of last Group A assembly.