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 “One that grandma would like.”:“Thanks for the lovely thoughts. I am sure my grandmother would have worn it, but…” read »
on “Golden Baubles Necklace”:“This is so beautiful Beady. I love the pieces you have been doing with the golden…” read »
- on “Even More Soochow”:
“Chainmaille looks so difficult. You do good work. I love the jade tubes.…” read »
on “One that grandma would like.”:“Great way to highlight the African donuts. The color combo is great.…” read »
- on “Sunflower in shade”:
“Look at all the beautiful beads! This is a delightful work of art that tells…” read »
on “Golden Baubles Necklace”:“Here he is. We have always named our cats after scientists. So this one earned the…” read »
- on “Even More Soochow”:
“Just beautiful kye. I love the jade tubes and rounds. So glad you remembered the design.…” read »
- on “Oasis”:
“I think Tracy will be very happy with her jeweler. What a beautiful setting for the…” read »
- on “One that grandma would like.”:
“Love the green and cobalt together. Such a lovely necklace.…” read »
- on “Sunflower in shade”:
“I love your necklace and your haiku. Especially your necklace - just beautiful. And so…” read »
- on “One that grandma would like.”:
“I'd wear it. It would go with many types of clothing. It's nice that you thought…” read »
- on “Sunflower in shade”:
“I love your nature inspired jewelry. And the poem. Love the bird and the bees. There…” read »
on “One that grandma would like.”:“Very pretty T! I would definitely wear it! Did you make this for your grandmother? I…” read »
on “One that grandma would like.”:“Beautiful necklace! Many of us would wear it in a heartbeat.…” read »
- on “Sunflower in shade”:
“Robin, this is terrific necklace! It is very cohesive.…” read »
on “Spring Green”:“Awesome design, great color scheme! Love it!…” read »
- on “Valentines garland”:
“Cute, fun piece! Very nice…” read »
- on “Sunflower”:
“Very clever, unusual design, awesome colors! Very nice…” read »
- on “All Puffed Up and Nowhere to Go!”:
“Beautiful pendant. The pink heart is a lovely color. I like the framing you created.…” read »
on “Modern Coin Necklace”:“Well Andrea, you've done it again! Simply stunning!…” read »
on “Do-Over”:“Crystal...I made the copper rose with different beads a while back...I guess I didn't…” read »
- on “All Puffed Up and Nowhere to Go!”:
“Great pendant. I love the encapsulated heart. Innocent and dainty and lovely. This will look great…” read »
- on “Rock On!”:
“Lovely nutkitten. Very unique design and so fun.…” read »
- on “Down by the sea”:
“Beautiful. Remind me of an Aztec design. Love it.…” read »
- on “Sunflower”:
“Beautiful Robin. I love the melon beads. They match the pendant so nicely.…” read »
- on “My Favorite Brass Pendant”:
“Very fun and artistic design. Love the wire daisy also.…” read »
- on “Valentines garland”:
“What fun little gnomes. They will look great as decorations. looking forward to your pic.…” read »
- on “Ear Bling”:
“You make the most interesting ear decorations. Beautiful.…” read »
- on “The Moon and Stars”:
“I agree with KR - Love the celestial feel. Just Wonderful.…” read »
- on “All Puffed Up and Nowhere to Go!”:
“Beautiful pendant! I especially like how the wire flares out around the sides and gently…” read »
- on “Rock On!”:
“How unique is this?! The dangling beads are a nice touch. Pendant or rearview…” read »
- on “Do-Over”:
“Jane, this will surely sell! Love the colors & how they accentuated that beautiful copper…” read »
- on “Down by the sea”:
“The color of the coin on this pair changes the look in a wonderful way. …” read »
- on “My Favorite Brass Pendant”:
“Love this one--right into my favorites! I really like the metal flower link, gemstone shards,…” read »
- on “Midnight Ruminations”:
“Kimbery, I finally received the Olly's & tried one last night--it worked! Thank you so…” read »
- on “Peacock in the Flower Bed”:
“Love your design. The peacock focal is beautiful.…” read »
- on “Leafy Web”:
“Wow JG. Lovely colors and workmanship. It does have a delicate look to it.…” read »
- on “Ammonite earrings”:
“I agree with everyone. Beautiful and dramatic.…” read »
- on “The Mod Squad”:
“Wonderful bracelet. Love the blue linen - it matches so well. It does remind me of…” read »
Opal Tie
About this design:
My goal with this design was to create something light enough to not make you feel weighted down when wearing it in the summer while being cool enough to be noticed. This necklace is really very easy to make, especially if you buy the ready made gemstone bead chain rather than wire wrapping each link.
What you’ll need: (buy products below)
- 2' gemstone bead chain
- 1' leather lace
- 1 length of silk string cut into 2 3-4" pieces with one long length remaining for back of necklace
- 6 4" lengths of non-tarnish brass wire
- 2 6" lengths of non-tarnish brass wire
- 2 Patricia Healey Triangle Arc
- 1 Patricia Healey Textured Curved Tube
- 3-4" worth of seed beads
- 9 feathered daggers or flat drops of equivalent width
- adhesive
Additional Images:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: The best thing to do with a necklace like this is to lay it out first. I began with laying out the main large components of the "tie", knowing that I wanted to fill in between those components with with simple rows of seed beads. |
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Step 2: Once the layout for the necklace is done, cut your chain in half, setting aside the extra opal beads. Wire wrap the Patricia Healey Copper Curved Textured Tube Bead to each end of the chain. This will act as the anchor for the necklace. |
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Step 3: Attach your 2 rows of czech drops by wire wrapping them to the chain as they were laid out. Make sure to add a seed bead or 2 in between each drop. This will keep the drops lying flat. |
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Step 4: Now comes the time to use the 2 shorter lengths of silk string. Knot the silk to the chain, string on the Patricia Healey Copper Triangle Arc and knot to the chain on the other side. If you are having trouble getting the silk string to go through the triangle arc, either use a collapsible needle or take a piece of your wire folding it in half and twisting your silk to it. Once you have done the one triangle arc, repeat stringing on the other triangle arc. |
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Step 5: Now that all of the main components are connected to the chain, you can go back in and fill the gaps with rows of seed beads. This is also where you can use the left over opal beads from you chain. See Tip: Make a Wire Wrapped Bead Link |
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Step 6: Finish your necklace by taking 2 6" lengths of 24 gauge wire, wrapping each to an end of chain. Create another loop close to the one connected to the chain and string the leather and silk cord through it. Make sure that you leave a 1/2" tail of leather and a 2-3" tail of silk cord at each end, keeping in mind that in the supporting part of the necklace, they need to be even. Now that the leather and silk have been strung through the loop, dab a touch of adhesive and wrap the wire around and around until it is all used. When you are done wrapping the wire, begin wrapping the silk string around the leather tail and the supporting leather and silk. Finish off the will wrapping with a knot. Repeat at the other end. |
Buy Products from this Design
You are viewing all 2 items.
| 42" length: $2.20 |
You are viewing all 2 items.
On Apr 26, 2012 at 3:52 pm #
KatsAllThat says:Very interesting design. I love the Patricia Healey pieces.
On Apr 26, 2012 at 8:17 pm #
Elis Mom says:Ali, this is so wonderful and unique! How long is the finished piece?
On Apr 26, 2012 at 11:27 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Susie, I wondered the same thing about the finished length! Great minds and all that jazz….
Ali, this is fantastic! What a perfect example of the popular “mixed media” designs! This is so versatile, too — you could personalize it however you wished! Thanks for the instructions, too!
On Apr 27, 2012 at 1:13 am #
Jennalynn says:Very unique! It’s just lovely
On Apr 27, 2012 at 8:00 am #
Chicky Zee aka Alice says:LOvely!
On Apr 27, 2012 at 8:49 am #
sunny chick says:Ali, another winning design! Thanks for the step-by-step instructions.
On Aug 15, 2012 at 9:14 am #
C Haddock says:Gorgeous!!!
On Sep 30, 2013 at 10:16 pm #
D CONNICK says:The details are so…sweet!
On Apr 16, 2014 at 9:51 am #
DahleaM says:has a very native american look to it!
On Jun 08, 2014 at 12:44 pm #
P THOMASON says:I would love to see other peoples design ideas besides Ali. Is she your only person that makes jewelry there?
On May 13, 2015 at 1:09 pm #
Kathi D says:this is an awesome piece, reminds me of a Native Arts peace made with tiny seed beads
On Mar 23, 2016 at 3:25 pm #
beadngirlee says:I just love your work! And this is no exception!
On Apr 07, 2017 at 7:32 am #
B Wong says:What a gorgeous necklace! Thanks for sharing the instructions!
On Dec 03, 2017 at 5:15 pm #
S lazan says:you’re so inspirational. Thanks for all your tips and techniques.
On Aug 26, 2018 at 4:13 pm #
L Dryman-Rice says:Beautiful, Ali! I love the “architecture” of this necklace.
On Mar 22, 2019 at 3:05 pm #
Annis P says:I’m not finding the curved beads or the triangle arc beads? I thought there would be a better link straight to the items needed to purchase and make one of these necklaces.
On Jun 20, 2020 at 2:36 pm #
DonnaE says:Loooove your creative designs, Ali!! xo
On Dec 12, 2021 at 1:50 pm #
Fullermary63 says:How natural, raw. And absolutely unique! You have taken a step forward in desighns and shown how these materials can be used together and compliment one another in an all original desighn! Well done! Thanks for lighting that fire!!