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The Gardener Necklace

by Ali on 07/07/11

Ali
The Gardener Necklace
The Gardener Necklace

Additional Images:

The Gardener Necklace
The Gardener Necklace

Project details:

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I wanted to show a couple of things when I came up with this necklace design. The first was how to use a lucite flower as an accent on a focal piece. The second was braiding ribbon. This is one of my favorite ways to use ribbon. Braiding or knotting the hand-dyed silk will make it suitable as a structural part of your designs rather than just a beautiful accent. I tried to stick to fuchsias and watery tones in this design and the Green Girl pieces really made the garden come to life.

↓ Step-by-step
↓ Buy the supplies

Supplies you’ll need:

  • 1' each of Hand Dyed Silk Ribbon in Echinacea, Sea Goddess and Mother Earth
  • Letter Stamp Set
  • 1 Round Blank
  • 1 Lucite Dahlia Flower 16mm
  • 1 Green Girl Floral Leaf Link
  • 1 Green Girl Woodland Scene
  • 1 Green Girl Bouquet Toggle Clasp
  • 4 Antique Brass (plated) Crimp Tubes2x2mm
  • 11 Kyanite Flat Oval 10x8mm
  • 18 Czech Glass Square 6mm
  • 1/2 Strand of Semi-Round Fresh Water Pearl
  • 2' .019" 49 Strand Beading Wire
  • 2 colors of Gilders Paste to match bead colors

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step

Step 1

I first textured both sides of my blank, then chose a side to be the front and stamped the word "GARDENER." Once this is complete, use your Lima Studios Crystal Clear 5 minute epoxy and apply a thin layer on the bottom of the lucite flower and press down.

See Tip: Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings

Step

Step 2

After everything was set, I chose German Silver Gilders Paste to apply to the textured blank as the base. I buffed it and added Violet Gilders Paste to the letters.

See Tip: Apply Gilders Paste To A Stamped Blank

Step

Step 3

It is easier to loop your beading wire over the ribbon and then crimp. Once your crimp is secure, knot the ribbon tightly to the beading wire loop. Now you can begin braiding and knotting. Before attaching the other side to the beading wire, make sure to string on your Green Girl Floral Leaf Link.

Buy Products from this Project

Sterling Silver Headpin 1.5", 21 gauge

Sterling Silver Headpin 1.5", 21 gauge

Sterling Silver Headpin 1.5", 21 gauge

Package of 10
1-2$4.60
3-5$4.23
6+$4.00

Czech Glass Matte Iris Purple Square 6mm

Restocked
Czech Glass Matte Iris Purple Square 6mm

Czech Glass Matte Iris Purple Square 6mm

Restocked
50 beads
1$2.80
2-4$2.58
5+$2.35