Fashion fads may come and go, but pearls are always a classic jewellery box favourite that will never let you down

What you need...

• Beads: freshwater pearls, blue, pink, white, assorted shape and size; crystals, blue, pink, white; mother-of-pearl nuggets, blue, pink, white
  
• Lobster clasp and ring, silver
  
• Ear wires, silver
  
• Callottes, silver
  
• Head pins, silver
  
• Beading thread: Tigertail; elasticated nylon
  
• Pliers, flat-nosed, round-nosed
  

instructions

1. Necklace - 1 Cut three lengths of beading wire, each 70cm. Thread each wire separately with a random selection of pearls, crystals and motherof- pearl nuggets. Fasten them securely in position by compressing a crimp bead on either side with a pair of flatnosed pliers.
   
   2 Once all three strands have been beaded, check the final length and adjust if necessary. To finish one side, thread the three wires through a crimp bead, compress it with flat-nosed pliers and add a single pearl.
   
   3 Thread all three wires up into the centre of an open silver calotte , add another crimp bead and compress it very firmly with the pliers. Cut off any excess wire and close the calotte gently around the crimp to secure.
   
   4 Loop the protruding hook of the calotte through the lobster clasp and close it up with round-nosed pliers. Repeat for the other end of the necklace, this time with a closed ring instead of the clasp.
   

2. Earrings - 1 Thread a selection of beads onto a long silver head pin. With a pair of roundnosed pliers, bend the wire above the top bead to form a right angle. Trim to 1cm with cutters.
   
   2 Holding the tip of the strand in the jaws of the pliers, coil it back around onto itself to form a neat loop. Before closing fully, attach an ear wire, then secure. Repeat for the second earring.
   

3. Bracelet - 1 Decide which size you require, then trim a length of elasticated nylon cord to 15cm longer than this measurement.
   
   2 Thread the cord with a random sequence of pearls, crystals and motherof- pearl nuggets. To secure, tie tightly in a double knot.
   
   3 For added security, depending on the size of the holes in the beads, feed the strand back through the pearls, knot again and trim the excess.
   
   4 To finish, cut short lengths of white organza and blue satin ribbon then tie over the knot to completely cover the join.
   

Freshwater and Swarovski glass pearls, JillyBeads, [url=http://www.jillybeads.com]http://www.jillybeads.com[/url] Mother of pearl nuggets and crystals available from [url=http://www.spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk]http://www.spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk[/url]