Why We Love This Tutorial:
How gorgeous are these chunky new Prehnite beads 🙂 They were absolutely the inspiration for this whole necklace – I’ve only used one, but I very much wanted it to be the focus. I’ve opted for a front clasp to dangle the Prehnite nugget off – and hey, it helps that these clasps are also very striking! Otherwise, this is a simply strung beaded necklace on tigertail 🙂
Beads and Materials You’ll Need:
- Gemstone Nugget Beads (we have used our new large Prehnite nugget beads. Please note, as with all of our fancy gemstone beads, we change our stock regularly – so if these beads are not longer available, try something different! You could easily use one of the chunky rough nuggets… in fact I have a plan for a clear quartz rough nugget plus aquamarine chip necklace that looks very pretty in my mind hehe).
- Gemstone Chips (we have used Prehnite chip beads)
- Gemstone Top-drilled Nuggets aka Large Chips (we’ve used Smoky Quartz)
- 10mm Round Gemstone Beads (we’ve used matte Tiger Eye 10mm beads)
- Clasp of your choice (we have used this style – but if it’s no longer available, please try a different style).
- Bronze Headpin
- Bronze spacers (we have used these washer spacer beads. However our spacers change regularly, so you may have to choose a slightly different style. A couple of daisy spacers would also work, if not a singular larger bronze spacer).
- 4x 4mm bronze tone round spacer beads
- 2x Crimps
- 2x clamshells (or you can just use the crimps, but I like the neat look of clamshells).
- Tiger Tail (we used 0.45mm)
Tools You’ll Need:
- Flat Nose pliers (for crimping)
- Round Nose Pliers
- Flush Cutters
- Scissors (for cutting tiger tail – never use pliers for this!)
Method:
- Cut your tigertail to your desired length. Attach a crimp and clamshell to your tigertail.
- Close the clamshell around the crimp with your flat nose pliers (don’t push too hard!). Then, using round nose pliers attach your clamshell to your bolt clasp.
- Now it’s time to three on your beads. We have started off with a 4mm round bronze bead, followed by three bronze washer beads. After this the general rule is each section is separated with 3 bronze washer beads. However, we have not followed any particular pattern and each section may be shorter or longer. It is quite random, but take a look at the example photo to guide you.
- After you have threaded all of your beads on to your desired length, you’ll need to attach the second crimp and clamshell. (Don’t forget the final 3 washer beads and 4mm round spacer). Like before, attach the clamshell to your bolt clasp.
- Now it’s time to make the Prehnite nugget dangle. Take the headpin, and thread on a 4mm round spacer, 2x washer spacers, the nugget, 2x washer spacers and another 4mm bronze round. You will need to make quite a large loop in the headpin to fit of the bolt clasp. So leave about 16mm of headpin before cutting it. Use your round nose pliers to form the loop, on the largest part of the plier.
- Attach this dangle to the bottom of your clasp, and you’re finished!
