Christmas is the time to wear great jewelry. With the numerous parties throughout the season, you'll have plenty of opportunities to show off your neckline. In this section, we'll show you how to make beautiful fine necklaces that you'll want to wear everywhere.

Hematite and Gold Tassel Necklace makes great Christmas jewelry.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Hematite and Gold Tassel Necklace

Hematite and Gold Tassel Necklace

Elegance and beauty are combined in this stunning necklace. Reminiscent of the Twenties, this gift will captivate your mom, sister, or best friend. Stringing beads may be time consuming, but look at how lovely the results are. You might want to double the amount of beads you buy just in case you can't part with the finished necklace -- then you can make two.

You'll Need:
  • 3 tablespoons hematite-color seed beads, 10 degrees
  • 1 tablespoon matte gold seed beads, 10 degrees
  • 3 tablespoons hematite-color bugle beads, 4.5mm
  • 35 round hematite stone beads, 4mm each
  • 2 round hematite stone beads, 6mm each
  • 10 round hematite stone beads, 8mm each
  • 1 round hematite stone bead, 10 mm
  • 1 gold split ring
  • Gold fluted endcap, about 7/8 x 1/2 inch
  • 2 gold oystershell endtips
  • 1 gold necklace clasp
  • 1 gold eyepin, 2 inches
  • Seed beading needle
  • Nylon seed beading thread
  • Instant-set glue
  • Beeswax (optional)
  • Wire cutters
  • Round-tipped pliers
To Make Hematite and Gold Tassel Necklaces:
  1. Mix together hematite and gold seed beads and use them randomly unless otherwise noted. Do not mix in bugle beads. To make tassel fringes, thread nylon beading thread directly from spool onto needle. Wax beading thread if desired.Using the thread single, string about 31/4 inches of seed beads, a 4mm hematite bead, and 3 hematite seed beads. Skipping the last 3 beads, thread needle back through all other beads. Cut thread from spool 4 inches from last bead. Repeat until you have 17 fringes.

    Skip the last three beads to make the hematite and gold tassel necklace.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Skip the last three beads.

  2. Open eye of eyepin and set aside. Divide tassel fringes into a group of 9 and a group of 8. Arrange fringes so they line up at top. Holding a group in each hand, tie thread ends together in a square knot, stopping after first half of knot to adjust fringe lengths. Finish square knot, making sure knot is as close to beads as possible. Tie thread ends around open eye of eyepin with another square knot. Drench knots with glue. Let dry. Close eye of eyepin. Trim thread ends to about 1/8 inch from knot. Thread eyepin through fluted endcap, pulling knots and tops of fringes inside endcap. Thread 10 mm hematite bead onto eyepin. Trim wire to about 7mm from end of bead. Using round-tipped pliers, turn a loop in end of wire. Slip loop into split ring.

    Tie threads together to make hematite and gold necklace.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Tie threads together.

  3. When stringing necklace, use seed beads randomly, and put in a few bugle beads occasionally. Always separate bugle beads with a seed bead. Cut a 72-inch length of seed beading thread and use doubled. String beads, repeating instructions between brackets as indicated: 3 inches of seed and bugle beads, [a 4mm hematite bead, an 8mm hematite bead, a 4mm hematite bead, 11/2 inches of seed and bugle beads] 4 times, a 4mm hematite bead, an 8mm hematite bead, a 6mm hematite bead. Take beading thread through split ring, on tassel. This is the center of the necklace. Thread second half of necklace to mirror first half. Adjust thread so ends are equally long at each end of necklace.

    String beads to make hematite and gold necklace.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    String beads.

  4. The remaining strands of necklace will run through hematite stone beads that are already on first strand. Cut another 72-inch length of thread and using thread double, string beads: 3 inches of seed and bugle beads, [take thread through the 4mm hematite bead, 8mm hematite bead, and 4mm hematite bead, which are already strung on first strand; then on the new strand only, string 11/2 inches of seed and bugle beads] 4 times. Take thread through 3 hematite beads and split ring at center of necklace. Thread second half of necklace to mirror first half. Adjust thread so ends are equally long at each end of necklace.

  5. Repeat step 4 with a third strand of beading thread.

  6. Thread all 6 thread ends at an end of necklace into an oystershell beadtip, so that oystershell opens away from beads. Separate strands in half, and tie them together into a square knot, tightening knot so it nestles into open oystershell. Thread half of the strands through a seed bead. Pick up remaining strands, and tie another square knot around seed bead. Drench knots with glue. Let dry. Trim ends close to knot.

    Tie a square knot around the seed bead to make hematite and gold necklace.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Tie a square knot around the bead.

  7. Use pliers to squeeze oyster-shell closed around knots and seed bead. Hang half of necklace clasp from hook on oystershell beadtip. Use round-tipped pliers to close hook into a loop.

    Use pliers to squeeze oyster-shell closed to make hematite and gold necklace, a great piece of Christmas jewelry.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Use pliers to squeeze oyster-shell closed.

  8. Repeat Step 6 for second half of necklace.

Black Facet Necklace is a beautiful necklace to give as a Christmas present.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Black Facet Necklace.

Black Facet Necklace

What a wonderful treasure to find in your stocking on Christmas morning. This dazzling beaded necklace looks elaborate yet is easy to make. It's the perfect complement to any special occasion outfit.

What You'll Need
  • 3 gold bails, 7mm
  • 3 black facet pendants, 9 x 32mm
  • 6 gold eye pins, 2-inches long
  • 4 gold jump rings, 6mm
  • 85 black facet beads, 4mm
  • 79 gold facet beads, 4mm
  • 79 crystal facet beads, 4mm
  • 1 black facet bicone bead, 16 x 18mm
  • 10 black facet bicone beads, 10 x 13mm
  • 20 gold flower spacers, 8mm
  • 2 gold fluted endcaps, 7/8 x 1/2-inches
  • 1 necklace clasp
  • 64 inches waxed linen cord or beading cord
  • Wire cutter
  • Round-nose pliers
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Scissors
  • Craft glue
To Make Black Facet Necklaces:
  1. Attach bails to pendants. Insert bail ends into pendant holes and gently squeeze to secure.

    Attach bails to pendants to make black facet necklaces.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Attach bails to pendants.

  2. Pendant Dangles: Use wire cutter to trim 1/4-inch from end of 1 eye pin. Trim 1/2-inch from end of another eye pin. Use round-nose pliers to turn a small loop at the end of the 2 trimmed eye pins and at the end of 1 untrimmed eye pin. Use needle-nose pliers to open a jump ring. Slip bail of 1 pendant and eye of 1 eye pin on jump ring. Close jump ring with needle-nose pliers. Repeat with remaining 2 eye pins and pendants.

    Use pliers to turn a small loop.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Use pliers to turn a small loop.

  3. Beaded Eye Pin: Thread the following beads on an eye pin: 4mm black bead, flower spacer, 4mm black bead, 16 x 18mm bicone bead, 4mm black bead, flower spacer, and a 4mm black bead. Trim eye pin, leaving 1/4-inch from end of last bead. Turn a small loop at end of eye pin. Loop should be snug against last bead.

    Thread the beads onto an eye pin.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Thread the beads onto an eye pin.

  4. Open a jump ring. Thread 3 pendant dangles and beaded eye pin on jump ring to form the necklace pendant. Close jump ring. Cut two 32-inch pieces of waxed linen cord. Thread both cord pieces through the eye of necklace pendant and center on cord. Set aside two 4mm black beads. Mix together the remaining 4mm black, crystal, and gold beads to use in a random pattern for the necklace.

    Thread pendant dangles through jump ring to make black facet necklace.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Thread pendant dangles
    through jump ring.

  5. Thread the following bead pattern on one half of necklace: On each strand of cord, string eleven 4mm beads. Then thread both strands through a flower spacer, a 10 x 13mm bicone bead, and another flower spacer. Repeat 3 more times. After bead pattern is complete, thread 14 more 4mm beads on each strand of cord. Thread both strands through a flower spacer and a 10 x 13mm bicone bead to complete one half of necklace.

    Thread the bead pattern over half the necklace to make black facet necklace.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Thread the bead pattern over
    half of the necklace.

  6. Open the eye of 1 eye pin. Thread ends of both beaded strands (from completed half of necklace) through open eye and tie strand ends in a double knot. Secure knots with a dab of glue. Trim cord to about 1/8-inch from knots. Thread eye pin through a fluted endcap, making sure the bicone bead is snug against the wide end of endcap. Then thread a 4mm black bead on the eye pin. Trim eye pin, leaving 1/4-inch from end of last bead. Turn a loop at end of eye pin. Do not close loop yet. Thread eye of one half of necklace clasp on loop before closing it completely. Close loop, making sure it is snug against last bead.

    Thread eye pin through fluted endcap to make black fluted necklace.
    ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
    Thread eye pin through fluted endcap.

  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for other half of necklace.
In the next section, we'll show you how to make fun necklaces to show off your holiday spirit.