Years ago I saw these beautiful little daisy chain beaded bracelets at Shy Siren (along with a lot of other beautiful jewelry--they have some gorgeous pieces) and thought, "I can make those!"
Of course I hadn't really any idea how to make them, they just looked like something one should be able to do without breaking a sweat or whatever. It did take me a little bit of practice but I eventually was able to duplicate the look here with my own necklace and actually it's easy enough for smaller fingers (think 10 years old or older maybe?) to do if they're looking for a pretty holiday present project.
45 inches gold wire
15 dark pink crystals
14 light pink crystals
1 small light pink crystal
15 small dark green crystals
15 small light green crystals
12 inches gold chain
4 gold jump rings
1 gold lobster clasp
needle nosed pliers
1 gold head pin
Step One:
Cut the wire into three 15-inch lengths (approximately, if you're making a bracelet obviously you'll need less). Once you're ready to start you're going to start in the middle and work outward.
Step Two:Make the first daisy in the middle by stringing two dark pink crystals onto one wire, one dark, one light and one dark pink crystal onto the next wire (the middle wire) and then two more dark crystals onto the last wire. Position all the beads in the middle of each wire and then twist all three wires together at either end of the grouping of beads so that it looks like the daisy you see to the left.
Step Three:
On one end of the wires string two small dark green beads, onto another string two small light green beads and onto the third string one small light and one small dark green bead. Loosely braid the three wires together so that the beads are evenly spaced along the braid as you see in the above below. Twist together one inch or so away from the daisy. Repeat on the other side of the daisy,
Step Four:Repeat around the chain, alternating the daisies with dark pink petals and light pink centers with the daisies that have light pink petals and a dark pink center. Braid identical groupings of green beads in between the daisies as you see in the top photo. When you're finished you'll have two dark and two light petaled daisies and five groupings of green beads in between the daisies and on the ends of either side.
Once you've got all your daisies in place you just need to trim down the ends of wire. Cut off the excess wire to leave about half an inch. Twist the three wires together and bend over the nose of your needle-nosed pliers to make a loop. Wrap the end of the wire around the base of the loop as you see in the picture at left.
Attach the gold chain to the loop you've created with one of the gold jump rings. Repeat on the other side.
Decide how long you'd like the necklace to be and trim the chain accordingly. Add two rings, one to each end of the chain where you'd like it to clasp, and attach a lobster clasp to one side and leave the ring on the other side as you see in the picture below. I let a bit of the chain dangle and added a little crystal charm using one large dark pink crystal and one small light pink crystal strung on a head pin. I made a loop in the end and attached it to the end of the chain as you see in the picture.
Now you've got your necklace (or bracelet). Suitable for all sorts of occasions--you could use the same idea and make a darling crown or tiara for any princesses you happen to have around the house.
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Congratulations to Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy for winning the Taco Night avocado recipe contest! She's won the $100 iCard for her recipe for guacamole--check it out. How many recipes do you know that are worth $100?
Also, on a separate note, I'm considering bringing back the Write-Away Contest and would like to see how many of you would be interested. I stopped doing them because entries had dwindled but if there is interest (and I've heard from a few people already) then I'd bring them back to give you some writing prompts and some great guest judges. Just let me know . . . and if you're new here and don't know what I'm talking about, here's a link to one of the past contests.
16 comments:
Yes, do the write-aways! Maybe every other month would be better?
also, love the necklace! It would be fun to see on a model too! :)
I used to make daisy chain bracelets with seed beads when I was in highschool. I didn't use gold wire, but the same technique. Yours looks a lot fancier. :) Would love to see the write-aways come back.
What a great necklace! Thank you! I'd like to see the write-away contests come back too. I rarely enter, but I like to read the entries.
I love the necklace. I might try making one as a Christmas gift or for myself in the spring. Thanks for sharing.
I'd also be interested in trying my hand at the write-away contest.
I can't guarantee I'll participate in a Write-Away contest, but I would love to read them. A Write-Away entry on another blog is what introduced me to your blog in the first place.
The necklaces are gorgeous! Good work.
I also liked the Write-Away contests, though I didn't enter every month.
oh drat something told me not to click on your blog when I saw the title but I just had to do it anyway and now you have sucked me into another craft project and made me think I can do it :) What a beautiful piece of jewelry :) Thanks :)
This is lovely! One question: what gauge of wire did you use?
Oh you would ask me such a good question! I'm trying to think--
The beads were fairly small, they were something like 6mm bicones (not as big as a round 8mm for sure)
I'm pretty sure I used 24 gauge. I would recommend using fine quality wire (gold or silver) if you can bring yourself to pay the extra and want the piece to last. If it's just a fun little play craft then by all means use the cheap stuff.
i would LOVE to see the write-away contest... i compose tons of things in my head thinking that they would be goo entries...
Very pretty!
I'd love it if you brought back the Write-Away contest. It's how I first found your site, through a link from someone who entered.
I enjoyed entering and reading the other entries, and it's also one of the reasons I subscribe. :)
I do like the every-other-month idea, or just whenever you feel like you have a good theme, without the pressure of doing it monthly.
Gorgeous.
I like to read write-aways, but I'm too chicken to write one.
There's my two cents.
Ooh, these are lovely! Of course I'm biased.
Aww, that is so pretty! Thanks so much for the how-to, I'll be linking.
I know this post was over a month ago but I'm just getting to read your blog for the first time : ) so, I think that having a writing contest would be fun, maybe a seasonal thing though and I'm loving your blogging in Pink book that you have written!
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