Tutorial: Simple Summer Linen and Art Beads Necklace

Art Beads on linen.  Art Beads by Mary Harding (ceramic ones) and Rolled Polymer Clay Beads by Margit Bohmer

We often get very hot days in the summer and I am always searching for jewelry to wear that isn't going to make me swelter.  I have a favorite that I want to share with you today.  It is simple to put on and simple to make.  Its very special summer secret is that it is made of linen. The reason linen is such a favorite for summer clothing is that is it doesn't cling to your skin and has the ability to both quickly absorb and evaporate moisture.  For these reasons a necklace made from linen will feel quite a bit cooler than if it is made of other fabrics or materials.

                          Simple Summer Linen Necklace by Mary Harding



Materials
1/4 quarter yard natural color linen at least 30 inches wide
Sewing thread to match
Needle
Assorted art beads with large holes--at least 4.00 mm for stringing onto the fabric.  The ones for the tie clasp do not need to be quite as large as the ones for the center of the necklace since that fabric is thinner on the ends than in the center--see directions below.

Directions
1.  Tear 2 strips of Linen: one 28  inches long and  1/2 inch wide and one 12 1/2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide
2.  Hand stitch the shorter piece of linen to the longer piece.  Center it so that it leaves the same length of single thickness on both ends (about 8 inches on each end.) Arrange your stitching so that it is on both edges of the cloth(see picture below.) This extra fabric will thicken the linen and give the part where you string on the beads extra fabric for holding the beads in place wherever you want to place them.

                                Shorter piece of linen hand stitched to the longer piece

4. String on several large hole beads onto your fabric.

            Beads strung onto the linen neck piece and beads for tie clasp also have been added.

The clasp
For the tie clasp string on a bead and then tie a knot about  2 1/2 inches from the end of the tie.  Tighten the knot by pushing it further along until there is only about 1/2-3/4 inches of material left over.  Repeat for the other end of the tie clasp. Refer to the picture above to see how they will look.
Another option

You can add to your necklace after it is finished by using large jump rings.  The beads can be moved around.  For exanple you could add a light weight pendant or charm with a large jump ring between two beads as seen below:

             Summer Linen necklace with art beads and handmade bird charm-by Mary Harding


I hope you have found this tutorial inspiring and will try out some ideas with linen.  Thanks so much for stopping by.
Mary

Tutorial Tuesday: Thinking of Summer Bracelet

Handmade ceramic beads by Mary Harding  Two hole Bead Bracelets

I have been thinking about Summer as a way of coping with this long, cold, snowy, icy winter.  Recently I made a number of two hole beads.  I was inspired by the many new shapes and colors of the Twin beads for seed beaders.  These twin beads have two holes and lend themselves to  many interesting design possibilities.  I got to thinking that it would be fun to make some larger size two hole beads in ceramic clay.  By chance when I first strung up a few for my Etsy shop, I used an old roll of hemp still around from my early beading Macrame days.  I thought they looked lovely, and especially summery and sigh, youthful.  The two holes show off the hemp nicely and give the bracelet an airy look.
So for today's tutorial, I have come up with a simple bracelet to string these two hole beads that I made.  Best part it puts me in mind of Summer and Beach time.  Another fun thing, these beads have designs on both sides so bead flipping is not an issue.  Also, hemp loves water and just gets more beautiful.

Two Hole Ceramic Bead  Thinking of Summer Bracelet Tutorial 

Supplies

6 ceramic 2 hole Artist beads  I have used some of my handmade ceramic 2 hole beads

1 button  I have used one of my handmade  copper buttons  (20 gauge copper)

Cording  I have used hemp  but other kinds of cording would work as well.  My hemp must be about 2 mm thick,  

4 feet of cording in one piece 2 mm thick

18 inches of the same cording in a separate piece

Jeweler's glue or Clear nail polish 

Tools

An awl would be helpful in positioning your knots

Ruler

Instructions

1.  Cut a 4 Foot piece of hemp  ( this is a generous measure) and fold it in half and string on the first bead.  Pull out a loop about the size of the button you plan to use for the clasp

cording folded in half and first bead strung

2.Attach the 18 inch piece of cording to the beading cord with an overhand knot-- most of it on your right with a short 2-3 inch tail on your left. We will be using this long piece of cord to reinforce the loop to form the clasp.

cording with separate piece of cord attached with an overhand knot

3.Check to make sure your button fits in the loop--adjust if necessary

Button fit check

4.  Begin making a series of larks head button hole knots with the long end of the core, around the edge of your loop as shown in the pictures

Making the larks head knots around the button loop  (I used red leather and cord to make it clearer)

Finished loop for clasp

5.  Make a couple of last button hole larks knots around the neck of the loop and tie a square knot to secure.  Use some jeweler's cement or clear nail polish to secure the knot.  Let it dry as you make the rest of your bracelet.

                                   

Neck of the loop  add glue to last knot on top right( this is what the other side of this bead looks like)

the bottom cord is secure in the overhand knot but add a bit of glue there as well.

6. Tie an overhand knot about 1/4 to 3/8 inch from the first bead.  Tighten it by pulling on each strand of the hemp one at a time. Use an awl to help position the knot. 

knotting on the beads

7.  Continue to add beads by knotting between them. You will get a light airier look the further apart they are. The beads will also move more if you tie them farther apart.  See example below.You can make them the about the same distance apart or vary the distance.

beads knotted for an airy look

                                   

                                               Beads knotted about 1/4 inch apart

8.  When you have knotted on the 6 beads and the length is about right including the button clasp.

string on the button.  Adjust the button so that it lies flat past the last knot.   Then tie an overhand knot to secure it.

Stringing on the button

Making sure the button lies flat and tying the final knot.

9.  Cut off the cord on the button to about 1/4 inch. 

     Check to see if the glue on your loop knots is dry.  If so, cut the cords.

11.  Put on your bracelet and think summer and beach and hope that warmer weather comes soon!

                                             Atlantic Ocean  Coast of Maine  August 2013

Thanks so much for stopping by

Posted by Mary Harding