I've been putting together Flotsam necklaces. They're excellent for using up any 'orphan' beads and charms you have - they also work wonderfully with buttons
They're a perfect jewellery making project for impatient makers, or if you make jewellery to sell, these are light on labour and components - and high on impact!
To make the necklaces you will need some basic tools:
- Flat nose pliers
- Scissors or snippers
- Chain nose pliers
Materials for the project:
Materials are really flexible - I've suggested some alternatives that will work well too - just use whatever you fancy!
- 2mm satin rat tail - a double necklace length (approx 36"- 40" for an adult) alternatively you could use wax cord or even a sturdy ribbon
- 1 clasp of your choice - lobster, t bar, magnetic - bigger ones are less fiddly for necklaces!
- 2 foldover clasps - or end of your choice - spring crimps work well too
- 5mm jump rings
- Hanger beads
- Eyepins (if using buttons or other hanging items that need a bail made)
- Headpins for beads
- Buttons or beads and charms
Method:
- Cut the stringing material in 2 and attach the foldover clasps.
- For the button version, insert an eyepin through one button hole. Keeping the eye visible over the button rim, bend the pin round and make a wrapped loop just under the eye to make a bail. Do this on 3 buttons, or as many as you want. (These look great loaded with buttons)
- Attach the buttons to the hanger beads with a jump ring
- Thread the hanger beads onto the rat tail
- Attach the clasp with jump rings
- You could tie a knot either side of the hanger beads for a different look - allow a bit of extra length before cutting the rat tail though!
- For the bead and charm version, put the large bead on a head pin, make a loop and attach to the hanger bead with a jump ring. For charms, again attach to the hanger bead with a jump ring
I called these Flotsam necklaces because they work really well with those 'forgotten friends' at the bottom of your craft stash!
Enjoy making your free bead project :-)
Back soon!
Georgie
