Springtime in Paradise Illusion Necklace
Illusion necklaces creates the look of beads floating on the neck, and are very attractive with an open collar shirt. This version of the necklace is so light, you'll barely even know it's on! I love using bags of mixed Czech beads for variety in color, shape, and size, and there are usually plenty of beads left over to make a coordinating Memory Wire bracelet and/or Rachel earrings!
While this project is a little more difficult than a beginner project due to the need to have a good handle on crimping, if you are comfortable with crimping, it should take you less than an hour to take this necklace from start to finish.
Level: Intermediate
Materials
One bag Czech mixed glass beads (Hobby Lobby, Michael's)
Sterling crimp beads (2mm, Artbeads) for securing glass beads to monofilament
Six sterling crimp tubes (2x2, Artbeads) for crimping ends of lines to the clasp
Monofilament beading line (Fire Mountain Gems)
Magnetic Clasp (Fire Mountain Gems)
Determine length of necklace. Mine is approximately 19 inches in length. Cut three pieces of monofilament line 3 inches longer than the length you want your finished necklace to be.
Use a bead mat or bead board to lay out your designs prior to securing it on the monofilament. You will be creating three staggered lines of beads.
Line 1: Start with a glass bead centered on the bead board or on the mat. Arrange glass beads evenly on both sides of the center bead, creating a symmetrical design. Leave approximately 1 inch between each bead and vary the shapes, colors and styles of beads. For a 19 inch necklace, your final bead design for Line 1 should be approximately 11 inches long.
Line 2: Start with a glass bead approximately 3/4 inch to the right of the center bead in Line 1. Arrange beads for Line 2 so that they stagger between the beads in Line 1 on both sides of the center bead. Vary shapes, colors and styles both with beads that are next to each other in Line 2, and also with beads that are close in proximity in Line 1.
Line 3: Start with a glass bead approximately 1/2 inch to the right of the center bead in Line 1. Arrange beads for Line 3 so that they stagger between the beads in Lines 1 and 2 on both sides of the center bead. Vary shapes, colors and styles both with beads that are next to each other in Line 3, and also with beads that are close in proximity in Lines 1 and 2.
To string Line 1: Pick up one strand of monofilament. Thread the bead that will be in the center of Line 1 onto the monofilament, and thread one crimp bead on either side of it. Hold the monofilament so that the ends are evenly lined up with each other (it will be folded in half). Using one hand to hold the glass bead in place, gently crimp first one crimp bead and then the other to hold the center glass bead in place. The crimps should be tight against the bead, but not kinking the monofilament.
To keep my design centered, I like to work one bead at a time, first the right side of the strand, and then the corresponding bead on the left side. Measure (using a rule or your thumb) or eye where you want your next bead to lie on the right side of the center bead, using the layout you created on the bead board or mat as a guideline. (I like to leave at least an inch between beads on a single line, which allows me to keep the "illusion" look and room to fill in the gaps with beads on the other lines.) Hold the line at that spot with your thumb and forefinger of the hand you don't crimp with. (Left hand for most right handers!) Thread a crimp bead on the line, and let it fall to where you are holding the line. Crimp gently. Thread the next glass bead in your design, and another crimp bead. Crimp the second crimp to hold the bead in place.
On the opposite side of the center bead, follow the same procedure to align your next bead for the left side of your design. Measure (or align so that the center bead is at the bottom and you are holding the left side of the line at the same distance from it as the bead on the right side is lined up) and hold the line where your first crimp will fall. Crimp the first crimp bead, thread the glass bead and let it fall to the crimp bead. Thread another crimp bead and crimp it next to the glass bead.
Return to the right side of the line and repeat securing your beads until the design is complete for Line 1.
Repeat the procedure for Lines 2 and 3, keeping the starting point of the first bead off-center so that Lines 2 and 3 don't align beads with Line 1 — you want to keep the beads staggered.
Using a crimp tube, crimp one side of Line 1 to the clasp. Crimp Lines 2 and 3 to the same end of the clasp. As an option, you can loosely braid the three lines together to hold them in place, or let them hang free. Individually crimp all three lines to the other end of the clasp, and trim excess monofilament.
The Finished Product
Click Image To Enlarge
