Tutorial: Convertible Fall Necklace

When Michelle McCarthy introduced herself at Bead Fest, she was excited to guest blog and write up something our Art Jewelry Elements readers would love. I suggested a tutorial. She had one written up and photographed about a week or two after Bead Fest ended. Enjoy!

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Supplies:  
32" antique copper chain
1" antique copper chain
20g antique copper wire, antique copper toggle
4 faceted antique copper discs 
2- 6mm emeral bicone crystals
2- 4mm smoked topaz bicone crystals
4 -6mm antique copper jump rings

ceramic leaf and acorn charms

 Directions:  Bend 32" chain section in half.  At the half way link, attach the toggle bar to the chain with a jump ring.  At the other end of the chain, attach each chain end to the round portion of the toggle.  Using the last jump ring, attach the 1" section of chain to the round toggle connector.  

Cut 2-4 inch pieces of wire.  At the bottom of the small section of chain, form a wire wrapped loop.  String a 4mm crystal, 6mm crystal and the disc.  Form another wire wrapped loop, but before closing it, attach the leaf charm.  Close the loop, but don't trim the extra wire tail.  With your needle nose pliers, start a wire twirl.  Push the twirl over the charm wire to help hide it. 

 A half inch up the chain, repeat these steps, but attach the acorn charm instead.  Now you are ready for fall!

 Sources:  chain: Bead Landing, crystals: Swarovski Elements, wire: T-Beads, toggle and discs: Cherry Tree Beads, jump rings: Michaels, ceramic leaf and acorn: Firefly Design Studio 

-Michelle McCarthy
Firefly Design Studio