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 “Czech Glass Medley”:“Was looking thru and you have some really nice bracelets, this is one of my favorites!…” read »
on “Easter Set”:“Very creative and a unique way to use ribbon clamps.…” read »
on “Easter Set”:“Love these bunnies! The ear folded down makes it really whimsical. It would be fun to…” read »
on “Rosebud Necklace”:“I love this necklace. Can’t wait to make it myself. …” read »
on “Rosebud Necklace”:“I love this necklace. Can’t wait to make it myself. …” read »
on “Elephant Refresh”:“Yea Maddie Cat is just a gorgeous girl. Her name is Maddie because her left eye…” read »
on “Very Green Bracelet”:“What an amazing green bracelet with earrings to complete the ensemble. YUM!!! I just…” read »
on “Rustic Copper and Rhyolite”:“Pam, I'll do some ear rings. I still have small triangles and bunches of rhyolite…” read »
on “Very Green Bracelet”:“Oooops! Forgot the ear rings. Your definitely emerald ear rings sure are green! I…” read »
- on “Very Green Bracelet”:
“Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes and bracelets up to her elbows! …” read »
on “Singing the Blues”:“Going into the bracelet business? They are all so fantastic they should sell like hotcakes!…” read »
- on “Elephant Refresh”:
“Your chair runneth over with cats! The little calico is a cutie. I love calicos.…” read »
on “Cathedrals and Pearls”:“I especially like this bracelet Althea...the focal is great, and I love your choice of…” read »
on “Very Green Bracelet”:“This is another of your outstanding bracelets. The stones perfectly blend with each other. The…” read »
on “Singing the Blues”:“Another amazing bracelet! The Lampwork beads send this bracing to the top of amazing!…” read »
on “Elephant Refresh”:“Your necklace is beautiful, Deb! It looks a high-end piece from a she-she store.…” read »
- on “Elephant Refresh”:
“We have had 2 different cats suddenly appeared. We have had an orange striped cat…” read »
- on “Another Floral Bracelet”:
“Thank you, K Ralston, LRC, Stingray and Pam. I really appreciate all the positive feedback.…” read »
- on “Another Floral Bracelet”:
“Althea this is a gorgeous bracelet! I love the beads you chose.…” read »
on “Another Floral Bracelet”:“You really are on a roll! I love how your bracelets are almost symmetrical, it gives…” read »
- on “Very Green Bracelet”:
“Wow! Another gorgeous sweetjane bracelet. I really like your combination of beads and charms, specially the…” read »
on “Crochet, Beads, Cord, Metal Chain”:“This is so pretty. I love it. Ditto to all the comments.…” read »
on “Elephant Refresh”:“Maddie Cat Chair full of kittens DeManda and Lil' Bear …” read »
on “Elephant Refresh”:“Maddie Cat Chair full of kittens DeMands and Lil' Bear …” read »
- on “Elephant Refresh”:
“Dang it my photos didn't load right in that comment. That's 2 Bootsey photos and no…” read »
on “Elephant Refresh”:“Love the redo, it is fantastic!…” read »
- on “Elephant Refresh”:
“Thank you Althea and LRC. Love that you went right to the important stuff LRC, KITTENS!! So…” read »
- on “Elephant Refresh”:
“The colors in the "do-over" work much better with the pendant. Love all of the…” read »
on “Elephant Refresh”:“This is beautiful! The lava stone and carved soapstone beads go so well together and really…” read »
- on “Cascade of Charms”:
“Ditto to above. It's very pretty and elegant even for a Boho style.…” read »
- on “Another Floral Bracelet”:
“Another gorgeous bracelet with great color and an incredible selection of beads. Love the toggle…” read »
on “Crochet, Beads, Cord, Metal Chain”:“From boredom to beauty. Love the chain.…” read »
- on “A Sign of Spring”:
“I love finding stuff in my stash that I have forgotten about. Beading in the sun…” read »
- on “Butterflies Are Free”:
“Your friend is sure to like it. It has shine and flair.…” read »
- on “Another Floral Bracelet”:
“You have some gorgeous beads in this one. And you can never make too many bracelets.…” read »
- on “Cathedrals and Pearls”:
“Love this painted focal bead. The bright gold metal beads really compliment it's beauty. The pearls…” read »
- on “Butterflies Are Free”:
“For being fairly new to bracelets, they are all really pretty.…” read »
- on “This and That”:
“I love the earrings very statement/elegant. Nice bold cuff bracelet, too. I like to keep the…” read »
- on “Rustic Copper and Rhyolite”:
“With the main triangle point-down and the smaller ones point-up, this necklace is really well balanced.…” read »
- on “Cathedrals and Pearls”:
“This is a perfect necklace! The colors are perfect and create that great look of…” read »
Black Dahlia Necklace
About this design:
I normally gravitate towards designing with lighter colors, so this week I wanted to switch it up a bit and use a darker color palette. I love the combination of the dark red from the garnet & the deep purple from the lepidolite- and the pink beads and crystal drops help to soften it up a bit. And of course, I love the layered look!
What you’ll need: (buy products below)
- Assorted gemstones, Czech glass, & seed beads (see below for the ones I used)
- Gold Chain
- Gold 24 Gauge Wire
- Beading Wire
- Gold Headpins
- Gold Jump Rings
- Gold Crimp Tubes
- Gold Lobster Clasp
Additional Images:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
|
Step 1: Make 7 bead charms with the yellow topaz nuggets (using headpins) & 5 bead charms with the Czech glass gold rose petals (using eye pins). See Tip: Wire Wrap a Charm |
|
Step 2: Attach the topaz nugget charms to a 4" piece of chain. In between each charm, I attached a jump ring with a pink seed bead on it to the chain. |
|
Step 3: Cut a 14" piece of beading wire. Slide on 10 lepidolite beads. Slide a gold Czech glass spacer and a blue pearl rondelle onto each side of the lepidolite. Slide the ends of the chain onto the beading wire. |
|
Step 4: Slide the rest of the beads onto the wire in the order shown in the picture. Make a loop at each end of the wire and secure with a crimp tube. Use a jump ring to attach each end to a 5.5" piece of chain. |
|
Step 5: The second layer is a series of bead links attached directly to one another. Make the links as shown in the picture. |
|
Step 6: Use a jump ring to attach about 1/4" up the chain. |
|
Step 7: The next layer will end up being 9" long, but use a piece of beading wire that's about 11". Slide on 17 4mm garnet faceted rondelles & a gold rose petal charm. Slide on 8 more garnet beads & another charm. Repeat until you've slid on 5 charms, ending with 17 more garnet beads. Make loops at each end and secure with a crimp tube. |
|
Step 8: The next layer will end up being 8.5" long. Slide on seven 3mm garnet faceted rondelles, a 3mm gold crystal, and 12 more garnet rondelles. Repeat until you have 7 gold crystals, ending with 7 garnet rondelles. Make loops at each end and secure with a crimp tube. |
|
Step 9: Slide each end of the garnet strands onto a jump ring & attach about an inch up the chain. |
|
Step 10: Finish by attaching a lobster clasp, jump ring, and tassel to the ends of the chain. |
Buy Products from this Design
You are viewing all 16 items.
Beadalon Bright .015" 7 Strand Wire 30ft.
BACK IN STOCK!
↳ Also available as: 100 ft. spool
Measurements: 4x3mm links
↳ Also available as: 25 ft spool
You are viewing all 16 items.
On Sep 24, 2020 at 3:05 pm #
BevB says:Beautiful necklace!
On Sep 24, 2020 at 3:25 pm #
Maggies Mom says:Lovely combinations of color and texture!
On Sep 24, 2020 at 4:04 pm #
Crystal Canary says:Lovely layers of dark, rich colors enhanced by the brilliance of gold. The drops, both the gold petals & topaz nuggets, add movement & interest. This would be a fun necklace to make.
On Sep 27, 2020 at 9:55 pm #
J Danhaus says:Wow, this is perfect in every way!
On Sep 29, 2020 at 2:55 pm #
Elaina W says:Thanks everyone!
On Jan 27, 2023 at 3:13 am #
Alissa U says:wow! Stunning.