February 2008

All Linked Up

Printable Recipe

4-8 Wooden/Resin donuts, various sizes

85-170small wooden beads (4mm or smaller)

36-72 6mm round Swarovski crystals; Olivine, Lt. Colorado Topaz, Lime, Indian Red

12-24 8mm round Swarovski crystals; Olivine, Lt. Colorado Topaz, Lime, Indian Red

32-64 4mm round Swarovski crystals, Colorado Topaz

Plated wire, 24ga

4 jump rings, 12 inches of chain, and clasp

If you want to follow the picture, then you'll need the lesser amount of each bead; plus the chain, jump rings, and clasp. If you want an entire necklace of beaded links, then you'll want to get the larger quantities of beads; and skip the jump rings and chain. You could still use a clasp; or just throw it over your head.

Start with the larger crystal links first.

1. Cut a 7-10 inch piece of wire for each of the links, 3-6 pieces. On one piece of wire, string on 3 sets of 1 8mm round followed by 3 6mm rounds. Then bring one of the ends of the wire one of the 8mm round crystals.

2. Pull the tails tight to remove all the excess wire.

3. Take each wire tail and wrap it around the wire that goes through all the beads. Do this on both sides of the 8mm round. Wrap about 2-3 times and cut off tails.Complete all your larger crystal links. Plan out the rest of your chain. You'll have to connect the donuts and the completed links using the smaller wooden beads and 4mm round crystal links.4.

4. Cut some more wire pieces and string on about 17 smaller wooden beads. Before bringing the tails through the last bead; slide on a donut and one of your large crystal links. Then bring your tails through and wrap the tails like in step 3.

5. For the 4mm round beads, string on 14 beads. Again make sure you put a donut and a completed link on before doing step 3.

6. If you did your piece like the picture; cut the chain in half and use the jump rings to connect the chain to the last beaded link or donut. Use 2 more jump rings to connect the clasp to the ends of the chain. If you want to do an all beaded linked chain, then just keep connecting.

7. Wear and enjoy!