DIY Clustered Pearl Necklace
by Alicia on January 24, 2012
The DIY projects have been MIA around here lately primarily due to the amount of time I’ve been spending on Whimseybox. But they are important to me (and my wardrobe, and my sanity!) so I’m trying to get back into habit of spending some time apart from my laptop
This Modcloth necklace was featured on the Teen Vogue tumbler a few weeks ago and instantly reminded me of a project I’ve never shared here. Since it’s only $35 at Modcloth and takes a bit of time to make it might not be the perfect DIY project unless you really want to customize the look. Nonetheless, here’s the how-to!
I used some curb chain, Beadalon stringing wire, an assortment of freshwater pearls, headpins, jump rings, a few crimp beads and a clasp. To create:
1. Thread a pearl onto a headpin. (Make sure you purchase headpins that are small enough to fit through the small holes drilled in each pearl.) Then complete the wire-wrap without attaching the loop to anything. Repeat this about a zillion times.
2. Cut a length of stringing wire, at least 12”. You can always cut the excess off later. Attach one side to your chain by looping it through the end link of the chain and use a crimp bead to secure.
3. Open a jump ring and thread as many wire-wrapped pearls as you can onto it- I could fit about 8. Close the jump ring and then thread it onto your stringing wire. Repeat this about a zillion times.
4. When you have enough pearls on the wire and you like the look (it takes quite a few to make it nice and bulky!) attach the stringing wire to the other side of the chain again using a crimp bead. Snip off the excess
5. Add a clasp to the to chain in the center back.
This was a pretty brief set of instructions. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask in the comments!
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Tagged as: diy, jewelry, necklace, pearl
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
This is such a fun tutorial, Alicia! I love it.
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Thanks Grace
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What an awesome necklace that I don’t have the patience or understanding to make!
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amazing work!!!! looks like a good way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon!
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Exactly, put on a movie and wrap away!
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Certain types of bead crochet with fine thread will also work for a similar effect without putting each pearl on it’s own head pin for those deficient in jewelry skills.
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Love this necklace and how you customized it. But what I love the most is how honest you were about the time it took and that it may not be a perfect DIY for everyone! That is why I follow your blog
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Hey thanks, that’s a really sweet comment! I appreciate it.
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Cute – but def time consuming. Maybe if we bought pre wrapped pearls it would be a little more expensive but would work for most people who dont have this sort of time and patience
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That would work, or the truly impatient could just buy the Modcloth version! This project is more of a labor of love that would make a great heirloom piece for an event like a wedding or graduation.
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I will add this to my to do list
thanks for sharing!
Ilovedoityourself.blogspot.com
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Awesome, post a pic when you’re done!
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I love this necklace but am just beginning to learn about beading. I would love to make one but dont understand what you mean when you say complete the wire wrap at the beginning of the instructions. I would really appreciate more info on this part. Thanks Lesia
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Hi Lesia! I haven’t done a post about basic wire-wrapping primarily because there are many great posts and information already out there. Did you watch the video I linked to? Also check out the tutorials on this blog: mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/search/label/Jewelry%20Lessons and Google ‘how to wire-wrap.’ You might also check out a beginning jewelry making class in your local area – that’s how I learned originally!
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