On the 1st Day of Christmas: Jingle Berry Lariat

Jingle Berry Lariat

Add a bit of festive to your everyday wardrobe with this simple necklace. When I spied this perfect evergreen toggle clasp from Mary Harding I immediately knew that this would have to be used front and center in a lariat style. The key to making a lariat work is thinking long and lean and making whatever comes through the hole in the toggle fit through but not so easily that it falls out. This cluster of pearls and copper leaf dangles works perfectly.

Supplies:
21 1/2" antique copper plated cable chain
2 branch connectors, one each in sizes 2 1/4" and 1", antique copper
3 jump rings
24 gauge wire or head pin
assorted green baroque and cranberry seed pearls
(opt: small copper tabs left over from a fringe chain or even some tiny bells!) 
1 ceramic toggle clasp (save the bar for another project)

Directions:
1. Cut off a 1 1/2" piece of the chain. Attach that to the larger branch connector. Use the wire or head pins to create pearl dangles. Open the links on the chain to add them, alternating between the baroque shape and the seed pearls. Add the optional copper tags to the pearl groups.

2. To the top of the large branch, attach a jump ring and the 20" of chain. Add two pearl dangles to the jump ring.

3. To the other side of the chain, attach a jump ring and a few more pearl dangles, and add the small branch connector.

4. Use one more jump ring to attach the ceramic toggle to the small branch.

5. Pass the pearl dangles through the hole on the toggle for a festive look.

Suppliers: chain and pearls (Rings & Things); branch connectors (Nunn Designs); wire, head pins and jump rings (Vintaj); ceramic toggle (Mary Harding Jewelry on Etsy)

Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote - not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com. Check out her brand spankin' new website at Tesori Trovati.