The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “Inspired by africa”:“It's encouraging to hear how others have struggled to get back into beading...and overcome it! …” read »
on “Butterfly Bush”:“I have always loved the phrase “when pigs fly” so I purchased the Green Girl charm…” read »
- on “Oor Earrings”:
“Love the simplicity and organic look!!…” read »
on “Yes, I can!”:“Another great bracelet Jogi!! I know I wouldn't be alive today if it were not for…” read »
- on “Inspired by africa”:
“This is what jewelry making is all about...making fun and happy pieces. This is definitely a…” read »
on “Fishie Swims with the Sea-d Beads”:“What could be better than a beautiful necklace with a storyline? It's so much fun following…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“CC I just noticed you used stainless steel jump rings. That makes your flower even more…” read »
on “Inspired by africa”:“I love the "chunky" feel of your beautiful necklace! balanced with some delicate open strings.…” read »
on “Inspired by africa”:“Very bright and happy. Lots of interesting stuff in here. I especially like the metal bead…” read »
- on “Yes, I can!”:
“These porcelain pieces have been great to work your pieces around. Lots of interesting beads to…” read »
- on “Fishie Swims with the Sea-d Beads”:
“Definitely a sense of the aquatic. I love how you have arranged it asymmetrically with the…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“So bright for Spring and with the positive words. The chain mail work adds much interest.…” read »
- on “Blu Haiku”:
“Copper and the blues go well together. When a piece gets snapped up before it even…” read »
- on “Even More Of Nancy's Beads”:
“That's quite an interesting toggle clasp. Lots of bright African beads. It's a feel good piece…” read »
on “Yes, I can!”:“Amen! A favorite verse and one that you have beautifully highlighted! Isaiah 54:10 has been a…” read »
on “Inspired by africa”:“Love the colors, love the beads, just love the whole necklace! I love the African…” read »
on “Yes, I can!”:“Amen !!! Absolutely beautiful and wonderful message ...one we need to be reminded of sometimes ....Pam…” read »
- on “Fishie Swims with the Sea-d Beads”:
“Reminds me of a trip to the beach !! Love all the different beads together and…” read »
on “Yes, I can!”:“This one does say it all. This bracelet has many beads to help focus on…” read »
- on “Blu Haiku”:
“Love this!…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“Ditto!…” read »
on “Blu Haiku”:“This should bring a pretty price at the fundraiser!…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“Oh CC this is absolutely wonderful !! I am definitely impressed with your flower ...very pretty…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“What a beautiful greeting to spring and summer! Purple and chartreuse are such a stunning combination.…” read »
- on “Blu Haiku”:
“So much varied skill in this beauty. Wonderful design and execution. I especially like the unexpected…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“CC this is just perfect! I love the colors and I am impressed with your…” read »
- on “Blu Haiku”:
“I love this piece! Texture that flows everywhere! I love the stitched beads and…” read »
on “Butterfly Bush”:“Thank you for the wonderful comments! I know the chainmaille flower isn't much to…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“This is amazing CC! Such a fantastic design and the colors are so bold and wonderful!…” read »
- on “Blue Lagoon Necklace”:
“So pretty! I really like the subtle use of pink.…” read »
- on “Even More Of Nancy's Beads”:
“Nancy sure had some great beads. I've enjoyed all your creations. The Onyx really shows off…” read »
on “Butterfly Bush”:“Oh these colors are amazing! So much summer, brights here - and I love the wee…” read »
- on “Blu Haiku”:
“A man with taste in beaded jewelry. His sister will love it.…” read »
- on “Blu Haiku”:
“I can see why the woman had to have it for her sister's birthday gift. I…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“Wowzers!!!!! Gorgeous necklace! The colors are fantastic for spring and summer. The chainmaille…” read »
on “Butterfly Bush”:“Beautiful work Crystal. The colors are fabulous and the nickel seeds look great between the flowers.…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“Delightful necklace in every way!! I'm impressed with your chainmaille....the colors are great and the whole…” read »
- on “Blu Haiku”:
“Love everything about this necklace....the focal is fabulous! Great job!…” read »
- on “Butterfly Bush”:
“An beautiful ode to spring and positivity! We too have purple butterfly bushes and yellow…” read »
- on “Blu Haiku”:
“The turquoise stitched tubes are beautiful. No wonder the organizer snapped up this piece for his…” read »
At the Beach Keepsake Necklace
About this design:
My inspiration for this piece was the time Payton and Gable spent at my Aunt Jackie's on Anna Maria Island. My sister brought out her twin boys while we were there and the kids spent endless hours at the beach twirling in the sand and water in search of seashells broken or otherwise. (Gable preferred the tiny pinecones and seaweed that washed up on the shore.)
What you’ll need:
- 3' of chain (I preferred using a heavier one)
- 1 horizontal connector/link
- 1 Nunn Design keepsake pendant
- filler components for your bottle
- jumprings
- drops for embellishing chain
Additional Images:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: When filling the bottle with bits and pieces make sure to put things that are bigger or heavier at the bottom. Example: I folded ribbon up and put it at the bottom of my bottle to add color but also to act as a cushion for everything else to land on. Another example is pebbles or sand, both of these should start out at the bottom as they are heavier items and will naturally go there anyway so you should make it look like you planned it that way :-) |
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Step 2: Since I created a long necklace, lightly embellishing the chain is a great way to draw attention to the focus of the design - the keepsake pendant. I attached my abalone bits with 8mm jump rings to allow for movement so they wouldn't get tangled in the chain. Then I tied some ribbon and fibers to the top of the pendant to bring some of the color in the bottle out. See Tip: Closing A Jump Ring |
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Step 3: To attach the bottle to the chain I chose to use a stacking twig connector. The style of it really complimented the theme of the focal and allowed for the pendant to move a bit more freely. See Tip: Closing A Jump Ring |
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Sep 15, 2011 at 2:11 pm #
Mary - Sweet Chick says:A beautiful and care free reminder of special times spent with family!
You have so many great ideas and unique tips for embellishing future designs! Thanks for sharing Ali!
On Sep 16, 2011 at 8:36 am #
Linda Talbott says:Beautiful. I love the Nunn Design Keepsake pendant, all filled with beachy memories.
On Sep 16, 2011 at 1:17 pm #
Chicky Zee aka Alice says:Great idea and design Ali!
On Sep 22, 2011 at 7:51 pm #
M McKennell says:that is a wonderful design! I love that little bottle!
On Sep 27, 2011 at 1:40 pm #
Little Round Chick says:This brings back a lot of memories. The school where I taught also had a summer program and one of our most fun activities was going to the beach. The kids would search for tiny shells and bring them along with some sand back to the school. We would put the sand and shells in small glass bottles and have a “Beach in a Bottle” for a keepsake.
On Oct 14, 2011 at 1:56 pm #
Ali says:Thanks everyone. I think I need to make an additional one for my Aunt and send it to her as a surprise
On Apr 17, 2012 at 12:25 pm #
R Lare says:Beautiful!!! As a profound sea glass and beach stone collector this is the perfect vehicle to make those wonderful memories even better !!!
On Mar 29, 2013 at 4:38 pm #
Courtney L says:LOVE this! I am always trying to think of a creative gift for my cousin who hosts our family vacations in Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida. This is PERFECT!!!