There is no mother or grandmother that does not like to brag about their babies or grandbabies. Now in addition to showing off a wallet full of pictures, you can give them a way to show their pride day in and day out with this necklace.
This design will work whether there is just one child or a number of grandchildren. The only difference is that you would vary the number of dangles and charms to use. For our example, we are going to make a necklace with three dangles, one for each of two children, and one for a dangle of a the last name of the family.
We will also use crystal beads that will match the birthstone of the children. If you cannot find a crystal with that stone name, consider the color reference next to it when you are purchasing.
January - Garnet - Dark Red
February - Amethyst - Deep Purple
March - Aquamarine - Light Blue
April - Diamond - Clear
May - Emerald - Deep Green
June - Moonstone - Aurora Borealis
July - Ruby - Red
August - Peridot - Light Green
September - Sapphire - Deep Blue
October - Tourmaline - Light Pink
November - Topaz - Orange
December - Blue Topaz - Medium Blue
(You could also use gemstone beads if you prefer)
Items needed:
- Six Eye Pins
- One 7 mm Soldered Jump Ring
- Two Child-themed Charms (you can find these to represent boys or girls)
- One Letter Charm to represent family surname
- 21 Inches of Beading Wire
- Two Crimp Beads
- One Clasp
- 36 Silver/Gold Beads (to match the charms)
- 80 Crystal Birthstone Beads in Two Slightly Different Sizes (we're using 4 mm and 6 mm)
- 20 4mm in the first color
- 20 6mm in the first color
- 20 4mm in the second color
- 20 6mm in the second color
- Crimping Tool
- Wire Cutters
- Round Tipped Jeweler's Pliers
Charm Center
The center dangle can be made with as many beads and dangling pieces as you like. Our piece will include three dangles, one for each child, and one for the family surname initial.
1.Place a charm in the loop of one eye pin
2.Add 1 - 6 mm bead and 1 - 4 mm bead for that child's birthstone to the eye pin.
3.Cut the eye pin just over 1/2 inch from the top of the bead
4.Use the Jewelers Looping Method to close the eye pin onto the soldered jump ring (Jewelers Looping Method - Hold the pliers approx 1/2 inch from the end of the wire and bend it at a 90-degree angle. Then grab the end of the bent portion of the wire with the pliers and tightly wrap it around them creating a complete circle, putting the soldered jump ring inside before closing it.)
5.For the second dangle, place the next child's charm on the end of the second eye pin.
6.Add a 6 mm and 4 mm bead for that child's birthstone.
7.Cut the eye pin just over 1/2 inch from the top of the bead.
8.Use the jewelers looping method to close the eye pin onto the loop in the third eye pin.
9.Add 2 beads of that child's birthstone onto the third eye pin.
10.Cut the eye pin just over 1/2 inch from the top of the bead.
11.Use the jewelers looping method to close the eye pin onto the soldered jump ring.
12.Put the initial charm on the loop of the fourth eye pin.
13.Place 2 beads, one of each child's birthstone color, on the fourth eye pin.
14.Cut the eye pin just over 1/2 inch from the top of the bead.
15.Use the jewelers looping method to close the eye pin onto the loop of the fifth eye pin.
16.Add 2 beads (one of each child's birthstone) onto the eye pin.
17.Cut the eye pin just over 1/2 inch from the top of the bead.
18.Use the jewelers looping method to close the fifth eye pin onto the sixth eye pin.
19.Add 2 beads (one of each child's birthstone) to the sixth eye pin.
20.Cut the eye pin just over 1/2 inch from the top of the bead.
21.Use the jewelers looping method to close the eye pin onto the soldered jump ring.
The dangle should now be complete.
Making the Necklace
Cut enough beading wire for the necklace plus three inches (we recommend a 16-18 inch necklace, so the wire should be 19-21 inches long)
1.Thread a crimping bead onto the end of the wire.
2.Thread one end of the clasp onto the wire.
3.Loop the end of the wire back through the crimping bead and tighten with your crimping tool.
4.Thread the first half of the necklace onto the wire (we recommend a design of 4 mm of 1 color, 6 mm of second color, metal bead, 6 mm of second color, 4 mm of first color, metal bead, 4 mm of second color, 6 mm of first color, metal bead, 6mm of first color, 4 mm of second color, metal bead, and repeat that design).
5.Once you get to the middle point of the necklace thread the soldered ring with the dangles on it, between two metal beads.
6.Continue beading the design for the second half of the necklace.
7.Thread on a crimping bead and the second portion of the clasp.
8.Loop the end of the wire back through the crimping bead and tighten with your crimping tool.
9.Trim extra wire.
Wear with Pride.X
