The Sisterhood Necklace free project with help from Auntie's and Vintaj

The past week has been consumed with the holidays and the Sisterhood so much so that a new year has snuck up on me. Two years ago I vowed I would use up what glass rods I had in stock rather than buy more. I finally achieved that goal so this year, I want to destash my beads too. Sooo...

....first up will be a January Clearance sale this coming Saturday, January 8th online. I did this last year and cleaned out alot of my stash then. I need to do it again.

Destashing implies - do not add to your current stash! Taking that to heart I decided to make jewelry from the Sisterhood rather than just take a few things out to add to my stash.

When I went through the box, I fell in love with a very large (2 and 1/4 inches in diameter) an etched donut.  I love the feminine curly cues running across the highly finished and lightweight donut. I pulled it out immediately knowing that I don't normally wear such a large piece. I put it back several times but it kept calling out to me.

The Sisterhood is about sharing and contributing so I thought I'd share how I made today's necklace. I'm calling this necklace, The Sisterhood to remind me of the traveling box of beady goodness and all the sisters who have contributed and created with it.

This is an easy stringing project using basic wire wrap skills and stringing.

Tools:

Flush cutters

Chainnose pliers (2)

Stepped roundnose pliers (for making consistently sized loops)

Supplies:

56mm (approximately 2 and 1/4 inches) etched patterned donut from the Sisterhood stash

6, Auntie's Beads glass 14mm pearls in deep teal

15 inches of Vintaj 6.5mm by 9mm etched chain

1, 12mm Vintaj lobster clasp

1, 4.5 mm Vintaj jump rings

5, 10mm Vintaj jump rings

1, 15mm Vintaj jump ring

1 Vintaj filigree leaf

20 gauage Vintaj colored coated wire

Directions:

1. Assemble your components:

Pearl Components: Wire wrap the pearls making a loop on each end. You can make simple loops or wire wrapped loops if you'd like. If you aren't sure how to make the loops, go to Cindy Beads on YouTube, click on the Favorites button and watch the how to video.

Filigree Leaf: Attach 4.5 jump ring to filigree leaf. Attach 4.5 jump ring to 10mm jump ring.

Etched Donut Focal: Cut 6 inches (150mm) of Vintaj colored 20 gauge coated wire with your flush cutters. Make a loop using the stepped pliers, wrap twice around the large etched donut focal and finish by wrapping twice around the top of the donut.

Now you're ready to put your necklace components together.

2. Using chainnose pliers open the 15mm jump ring and string on the etched donut focal, filigree leaf and two of the 14mm deep teal glass pearl wire wrapped components, making sure the pearl components are on the "outside." You want to be sure the etched donut focal will be at the center of the necklace. Close the 15mm jump ring.

3. On one side, using the chainnose pliers, open a 10mm jump ring and attach it to one of the pearl components. String the jump ring and pearl component onto one of the pearl components attached to the 15mm jump ring. Close the 10mm jump ring.

4. Repeat the above until you have 3 teal pearls strung on both sides.

5. Instead of measuring the length of 6.5 by 9mm etched chain, I prefer to count the number of links. I think it's more accurate. Count out 28 links on the chain and open the 28th link using the chainnose pliers. You'll have 27 links (7 and 1/4 inches) for each side of the necklace.

6. Using the chainnose pliers, open the last link on one end. Attach to the last pearl. Do the same for the other side.

7. Attach the 12mm lobster clasp to the 4.5mm jump ring and attach it to the last link on one of the necklace.

I encourage you to make your own sisterhood piece of jewelry to celebrate the joy of beading with friends. While you're beading, I'm sharing a song from the movie, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants to get your creative juices flowing!

Bead Bravely, Sisters!





Disclosure of Material Connection with Auntie's Beads