Crafts Beautiful - Quick & Crafty - Let's Make Cards Magazine

Crafty fashionistas will love this beautifully stylish collection, which teams a pair of simple drop earrings with two contemporary necklaces and a chunky co-ordinating bracelet. The eye-catching deep red tones would complement a variety of colours and outfits, with the vintage-look silver adding metallic detail. The different sized gems create contrast, and the distressed finish of the pendants give a natural feel. This easy-to-follow project is suited to all skill levels and is sure to delight bead enthusiasts. Simply change the colour scheme for a different look.

Necklace

Cut cord, 50cm, and bring the ends across, so they lie on top of each other, to create a loop in the centre, where you want the charm to hang. Pass it through the eye in the pendant and bring the ends back through the loop, then pull to secure in place.

Pull the threads apart into two single strands, and feed a mushroom bead, metal spacer, second mushroom and a flat ceramic oval onto one end. Repeat the sequence once more, this time finishing with a mushroom gem, then tie a secure knot next to it.

Measure 3cm along from the knot, then tie another. Thread on a mushroom bead, a ceramic oval, and a second mushroom, then tie again. Repeat this sequence, forming a knot after the last gem. 4Attach a cord end cap, using flatnosed pliers, 10cm above the knot. Squeeze one wing of the finding at a time. Take the remaining thread, on the other side of the pendant, and repeat the sequence of knotting and beading. Open two jump rings and fasten to each end cap, securing the clasp before they are closed.

Rectangle Necklace

Trim cord, 50cm, and thread on the pendant so it hangs in the centre. Feed seven mushroom gems and six spacers onto one end, arranging them in an alternate pattern that starts and finishes with a mushroom.

Tie a knot after the last bead, leave a 1.5cm gap and tie another. Thread on a mushroom bead and secure with a third knot. Repeat this sequence a further three times. Measure 6.5cm from the last tie and attach a cord end cap, using flat-nosed pliers.

Repeat this pattern of beading and knotting along the thread on the other side of the pendant. Open two jump rings and attach one to each cord end cap. Close the first metal loop and, before shutting the second, feed on a spring fastener.

Bracelet

Trim elastic, 30cm, and tie a loose knot at one end. Hold the other end between your thumb and index finger, then thread on a selection of different ceramic beads, each separated by a metal spacer, as shown in the picture.

Unravel the knot, then tie the two ends of the elastic together in a reef knot, pulling the beads upwards as you do so. Apply a dot of jewellery glue onto the fastening and leave to dry. Closely trim any excess thread, then disguise the knot inside one of the gems.

Earrings

Thread a silver head pin with a mushroom bead, a ceramic oval, and a second mushroom. Bend the tip over so it sits at a right angle, using flat-nosed pliers. Trim the end, using cutters, leaving 1cm protruding up from the gems.

Feed on an earring hook, then coil the end of the pin into an even loop, using round-nosed pliers. This should keep it securely in place. Repeat these steps to make the second earring.