Silk and Filigree Necklace - Free Project

 

Silk and Filigree

Erin Siegel

Sometimes a simple design is the best way to show off beautiful handmade beads. Elegant knotted silk cord and turquoise beads compliment this cool-hued collection of enameled filigree beads by Barbara Lewis of Painting with Fire Artwear.

Materials:

64 chalk turquoise 5mm rounds

2 teal enameled 14mm filigree rounds

1 purple enameled 18mm filigree round

1 turquoise enameled 12mm filigree round

1 antique copper 13mm fancy toggle

2 antique copper knot cups                                  

1 card of amethyst size 8 silk beading cord w/attached needle

2” of lavender dupioni silk ribbon

Tools:

Crimping pliers

Round nose pliers

Knotting tweezers

Fabric cement glue

Scissors

Finished size: 18 ½”

Tip: Pre-stretching the silk helps remove the natural stretch in the cord so that your knots won’t move in your finished piece over time.

1: Remove all the cord from the card. Stretch a small section. Repeat for the entire cord.

2: Form a double overhand knot at the end of the cord opposite the needle. Trim. Dab the knot with glue. Let dry. String 1 knot cup and close over the knot with crimping pliers. Attach the knot cup to one half of the toggle clasp.

3: Form an overhand knot and string 1 turquoise 5mm round. Repeat 59 times.

4: Form three overhand knots. String the following, forming an overhand knot after each: 1 turquoise enameled filigree round, 1 turquoise 5mm round, 1 teal enameled filigree round, 1 turquoise 5mm round, 1 purple enameled filigree round, 1 turquoise 5mm round, 1 teal enameled filigree round, and 1 turquoise 5mm round. String 1 knot cup; form a double overhand knot inside the knot cup. Trim. Dab the knot with glue. Let dry. Close the knot cup and attach it to the other half of the toggle clasp.

5: Use the 2” piece of dupioni silk ribbon to form an overhand knot around the three overhand knots created in step 4. Fray the edges of the ribbon.

Resources:

Enameled filigree rounds: Painting with Fire. Dupioni silk: Ornamentea. All other materials: Fire Mountain.

Erin Siegel is a jewelry designer, beading instructor and co-author of the jewelry book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry: 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords. To find out more, visit her blog: Erin Siegel Jewelry.