Pearls on The Halfshell Intro – The Alluring Bead Boutique

Welcome to the long awaited March Project. My pearls arrived last Friday and I spent the weekend getting everything ready so we can proceed with Pearls on The Halfshell Earrings and Necklace Tutorials.

Everything you need to make your own set will be listed below and the Series itself will guide you step by step from start to finish.

The project requires very few materials to complete the entire set. The combination of bead weaving and basic wire working techniques create a gorgeous modern look for the finished set of jewelry.

Materials and Tools

Beads

1 – 14 mm Swarovski Pearl – Night Blue
2 – 12 mm Swarovski Pearls – Night Blue
3-4 grams 8/0 Round Seed Beads – Czech Glass Hematite
3-4 grams 11/0 Round Seed Beads – Toho Metallic Antique Silver
2-3 grams 15/0 Round Seed Beads – Perm. Finish Galvanized Aluminum
3 – 11 mm Teardrop Beads – Antique Silver
6 – 4 mm Round Faceted Crystal Beads – Metallic Silver
5 – 6mm Round Crystal Beads Metallic Silver

Supplies

4 – 5 feet Beading Thread – Black Satin or Smoke
1.5 – 2 feet 22 Gauge Dead Soft Jewelry Wire – Silver
6 inches 20 Gauge Hard or Half Hard Jewelry Wire – Silver
3 – 2 inch Head Pins
Clasp of your Choosing
16 inches Chain

Optional

16 Small Jump Silver Jump Rings

Tools

Size 11 Beading Needle
Scissor or Thread Burner
2 – Chain Nose Pliers
Round Nose Pliers
Flush Cutters
Multi-step Looping Pliers, Mandrel or Sharpie Pen
One Step Looper Pliers
Bench Block
Chasing Hammer and/or Rawhide Mallet
Cup Bur or Wire Rounding Tool

Techniques

The Project will be presented to you in Five parts:

Part 1 Tubular Herringbone Stitch

In part one you will create three pieces of bead work. Two for the Earrings and one for the Pendant.

The use of 2 sizes of seed beads will give a natural curve to the bead work that will make it very easy to set the Pearl into the half moon Beaded Bezel.

Tiny 15/0 beads accent the bead work along the sides and cover the open ends of the tubular work.

If you need a refresher on this technique, I have a complete Step by Step Guide available in the Shop.
Tubular Herringbone Stitch Guide

If you are familiar with the Stitch you can check out my Tubular Herringbone Stitch Video on The Alluring Bead Boutique’s Design Channel on YouTube.

The remaining Parts of the Pearls on the Halfshell Series will coincide with my Metalsmithing at Home Beginner Tutorials.

Part 2 – Finishing the Components

In part two you will use the 22 Gauge Jewelry Wire and Head Pins to finish the components using Wire Wrapped Loop and Simple Loop Techniques.

Part 3 – Handmade Ear Wires

In this portion of the Series, you will learn how to make your own Earring Wires.

The 20 Gauge wire is most commonly used for these findings because it best accommodates most pierced ears.

I will show you a few variations you can choose from for your own project.

You will need a larger mandrel, or object such as a Sharpie Pen to help form the upper portion of the findings. Multi-step Looping Pliers also work very well for this step.

Part 4 – Beaded Links and Chain

Finally, in Part 4 you will learn to make beaded links using the remaining Crystals and 22 gauge wire.

Learn to measure and cut the lengths of Chain and then to connect all of the parts together to form the finished chain for your Pendant.

The final steps will be to thread the chain onto your pendant and then add the clasp of your choosing.

The sample shown here does not use jump rings, but depending on the type of chain you choose, you may want to have some small jump rings on hand to achieve a balanced look to the lay of the chain.

I love the look of the Night Blue Swarovski pearls and I am very pleased with the project.

I look forward to sharing this simple yet elegant project with you.

So gather your materials and join me for the Pearls on The Halfshell Necklace and Earrings Tutorials.

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