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 “Colorful Earrings”:“These are beautiful! I love your designs.…” read »
on “Valentines garland”:“Pam ...what a great idea to just change out the decorations on the tree....I have debated…” read »
- on “Ear Bling”:
“I think these are really great !! I love that you did a matching earing for…” read »
on “Valentines garland”:“What a beautiful garland! I didn't take my tree down nor the nativities last…” read »
on “Ammonite earrings”:“Love these! Colors are perfect.…” read »
- on “Valentines garland”:
“I believe they were supposed to be nomes but troll works as well
I hang…” read » - on “The Moon and Stars”:
“This is absolutely beautiful! I am a huge purple fan. This feeds my purple addiction…” read »
- on “Valentines garland”:
“The felt mushrooms are cute! Are those other focals trolls? Or babies in bunting?…” read »
- on “Ammonite earrings”:
“Oh ny Robin !! Absolutely beautiful!!…” read »
- on “Peacock in the Flower Bed”:
“This is absolutely gorgeous !! Yes the focal does look like peacock feathers ...my mother in…” read »
- on “Leafy Web”:
“Wow !! This is truly amazing !! I am in awe of your workmanship ....absolutely gorgeous…” read »
- on “The Moon and Stars”:
“I have to say I am very sure that I like it ....in fact I like…” read »
on “The Moon and Stars”:“All the varying shades of purple create an interesting piece. I like the way you…” read »
on “The Moon and Stars”:“This is very pretty, I love purple, and that chain is great.…” read »
- on “Peacock in the Flower Bed”:
“I love the wire wrapped around & across the focal bead along with the addition of…” read »
on “The Mod Squad”:“Thanks you all for the comments! This focal definitely reminds me of the 70's...kinda psyodelic. …” read »
- on “Leafy Web”:
“Really stunning necklace!! I can't even imagine making something like that...your work is impeccable!!…” read »
- on “Peacock in the Flower Bed”:
“I have no idea what that means either N.K..but I think your bracelet turned out great!…” read »
- on “Ammonite earrings”:
“These are very cool Robin! I've got some of those Czech beads and have never used…” read »
on “Leafy Web”:“Wow, thanks everyone! I didn't know if anyone would like my posts, since I mostly work…” read »
- on “Wirework Practice”:
“Thank you everybody. My son is well and his first day back at work today.…” read »
- on “More Wirework”:
“Oh... we could be bff's so you coulda gave it away in my direction, lol. …” read »
- on “Leafy Web”:
“Like Phoenix I thought "Egyptian" when I saw your necklace. And I love Egyptian. …” read »
- on “Peacock in the Flower Bed”:
“I'm not sure exactly what it means but the focal bead was labeled as "reconstituted Turquoise"…” read »
- on “Ammonite earrings”:
“Stunning.…” read »
on “Ammonite earrings”:“These are beautiful Robin. You've really been on a roll lately with some very special pieces.…” read »
- on “The Mod Squad”:
“Another unique asymmetrical design. Love the focal and how you built around it's unique colors.…” read »
- on “More Wirework”:
“It looks like a very professional job to me. These are very pretty and well made.…” read »
on “Peacock in the Flower Bed”:“Great bracelet! I loves the swirls in the focal and how the flowers accent the colors.…” read »
- on “Wirework Practice”:
“Great job on this and very pretty. I'm so glad your son is getting through this…” read »
- on “Leafy Web”:
“Beautiful necklace- I especially like the clasp- it looks vintage. Lovely work!…” read »
- on “More Lost and Found”:
“Love the druzy in these. Unique design as well.…” read »
on “Leafy Web”:“Very beautiful! It looks Egyptian to me.…” read »
- on “Leafy Web”:
“Gorgeous! Love how the sea green jumprings are shown off against the bright gold. …” read »
- on “Ammonite earrings”:
“Oh my goodness, these are fantastic Robin! The whole shape of the earring lends to…” read »
on “Leafy Web”:“So pretty! And looks like it lays beautifully on your neck.…” read »
- on “The Mod Squad”:
“You pulled out some beautiful and unusual colors from this focal...and made another unique bracelet. …” read »
- on “Peacock in the Flower Bed”:
“I love your color and bead choices!…” read »
- on “Leafy Web”:
“Perfect use of the leaves! The colors are great. I've missed your posts lately.…” read »
- on “Ammonite earrings”:
“Super pretty! I agree that the bead stitching would be great with any coin beads.…” read »
Quartz Nugget Necklace
About this design:
I love quartz with beautiful shimmering inclusions. They are like nature's surprise gifts in my beads. I wanted to stick with rich bronze tones for the necklace to accent the quartz. A 1.5mm leather cord fits nicely through the large tumbled nuggets, but I felt that it did not look "heavy enough" once the leather was out in the open. I chose to create a series of overhand knots in the leather cord for 2 1/4". The length of the necklace is 21" however this is a shorter necklace as it lays on the collarbone. The width of the nuggets makes the necklace diameter much shorter than what you may normally see in a 21" necklace.
What you’ll need: (buy products below)
- 5-9 large tumbled nuggets
- 4' 1.5mm leather cord
- 37 spacers or discs
- 1' silk ribbon
- 1 toggle clasp
- adhesive
Additional Images:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
|
Step 1: Gather all materials. See list above. |
|
Step 2: Begin stringing your nuggets and spacers discs from towards the middle of your leather cord. When you are halfway done stringing nuggets, switch to the other end and finish stringing. |
|
Step 3: Once you have all your nuggets strung, you need to secure them in place. Tie an overhand knot using both your leather cord and your ribbon at the same time. Embellish with your leftover spacer discs at each end. Mirror this step at the other end. |
|
Step 4: After each knot amde with both the ribbon and leather cord, fray your ribbon so it looks feathery. To do this you need to pull your finger along the edge of the ribbon. Then holding your ribbon approximately 1/2" from the knot pull your ribbon in opposing directions until it pulls apart. |
|
Step 5: To finish off the necklace, I wanted to make a heavier looking cord to balance the large nuggets. I created a series of overhand knots for 2 1/4" to achieve this look. You may need to make this portion longer or shorter based on the nuggets and quantity you chose. |
|
Step 6: Complete your necklace by knotting on a lovely toggle clasp. Secure the knot with adhesive. |
Buy Products from this Design
On Oct 04, 2019 at 6:49 am #
Beady Little Eyes says:Wow Ali – This is so fun. Reminds me of Wilma Flintstone.
Very rustic.
On Oct 04, 2019 at 8:16 pm #
Crystal Canary says:Ali, you incorporated some wonderful techniques and ideas into this piece. Those Quartz nuggets are awesome, and I really like how you knotted the leather in the back and added the frayed silk ribbon. I kept wondering how you added feathers until I looked at your directions! Great work!
On Oct 07, 2019 at 10:02 pm #
Little Round Chick says:Ali, Those nuggets are to die for! I love nuggets and crystal Together they make real “Look at me” statement!
On Nov 05, 2019 at 8:50 pm #
D Masters says:A truely lovely design and choice of materials, well done
On Dec 31, 2019 at 3:18 am #
Bhunter2116 says:Beautiful, so glad I came across this site!!
On Nov 24, 2021 at 11:47 am #
Tater says:Lovely design! Love those little “disc” spacers. Your knotting is superb!