Don't pay more than $100 for a trendy Y, or lariat, necklace from a department store. Make your own sophisticated sterling-silver version for less than $10. With instructions from bead expert and author Wendy Simpson Conner, you'll have a lovely, personalized necklace in no time. Beading Terminology
Jump ring: circle of wire used to join chain links
Eye pin: straight pin with a loop at one end
Head pin: straight pin with a head at one end
Materials:
16" length of sterling-silver chain (may be shortened to desired length)
Four silver eye pins and one head pin, or a length of 22-gauge silver wire
Four 5-mm crystal diamond-shaped beads, and one 14-mm x 10-mm teardrop shape
Sterling jump ring
Needle-nose pliers and wire cutter
Necklace clasp
- Create a loop with one of the eye pins or wire, using needle-nose pliers. Slide a diamond-shaped crystal onto the pin or wire. Cut the pin or wire 1/2" from the crystal (figure A).
- Thread the 1/2" end of the pin or wire through the loop on one end of the chain. Using pliers, close the end of the pin around the chain by making a loop at the top of the crystal (figure B).
- Cut the chain about 2" away from the crystal. Open a jump ring, and thread the end link of the 2" piece of chain onto the jump ring. Thread the end link of one of the ends of the chain onto the same jump ring. Then thread the other end link of the opposite end of the chain onto the same jump ring (figure C). Close the jump ring using pliers. You now have a circular chain with the Y chain extending from the circle. One crystal hangs on the end of the Y (figure D).
- Cut the chain 2" from the joined links (figure E). Loop an eye pin onto the last link of the 2" piece of the chain. Slide a crystal onto the pin. Cut the pin 1/2" from the crystal. Thread the other end of the chain onto the pin, and make a loop from the 1/2" end of the eye pin, joining the chain together. There should now be a crystal on one side of the circular chain and another hanging on the end of the Y.
- Cut the chain 2" from the crystal. Loop an eye pin onto the last link of the 2" piece of the chain. Slide a crystal onto the pin. Cut the pin 1/2" from the crystal. Thread the end of the chain onto the pin, and make a loop from the 1/2" end of the eye pin, joining the chain. There should now be two crystals on one side of the circular chain and another hanging on the end of the Y (figure F).
- Go back to the joined link at the Y. Cut the chain 2" from the Y on the other side of the circle. Loop an eye pin onto the last link. Slide a crystal onto the pin. Cut the pin 1/2" from the crystal. Thread the end of the chain onto the pin, and make a loop from the 1/2" end of the eye pin, joining the chain.
- Repeat step 5. You now have a circular chain with four crystals and a Y with a crystal at the end (figure G).
- To add a clasp, cut the chain at the midpoint between crystals two and three, directly opposite the Y. If necessary, lengthen or shorten the necklace by adding or removing lengths of chain. With pliers, attach a jump ring to one side of the chain (figure H).
- Add a clasp to the other end of the chain (figure I).
Tips: - You'll need a chain that's easy to work with and that can easily accommodate the wire or pins.
- Using the pliers is like flipping a flapjack: start with your palm up, and turn your wrist all the way over. Bring the end of the wire around until it makes a circle loop and touches the wire.
- Don't open the jump rings by pulling them apart. It's easier to open them side to side.
- Be sure to close loops all the way.
- Tailor your design by using different sizes and chain styles.
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