I recently got a new appreciation for the cost of beads! I make window valances that have accents of India beads which I purchased from Michael’s Craft stores. They discontinued those beads and I was thrilled to discover Shipwreck Beads in Olympia, Washington. Now I have a source for my cool India beads and as I wandered through the ginormous warehouse store looking at other kinds of beads I was shocked at the sticker price of other kinds of beads!
I am used to getting jars of old jewelry from Goodwill that are chock full of old necklaces like this dated orange and white one. Beads similar to them were $1.25 each! So I have a new appreciation of what I actually have. I got a jar of old necklaces few weeks ago and thought this dated necklace could have a really nice update.
Step One: Take the necklace apart and wash all the pieces you are going to keep in soapy water. Hint: I threw away all the metal parts which were oxidized.
Step Two: Plan your design. I keep it simple by making several sections of larger beads using a large head pin.
I attach the bead sections to lengths of chain cut the same measurement.
Step Three: For this bead section made a little chain of two beads and attach them to the chain lengths the same as the others. HINT: I assemble the necklace as I make each bead section to verify I like the pattern.
Step Four: After all the bead sections and chain pieces are connected, attach a section of chain for the back of the necklace.
Step Five: Make a tassell with three beads, two of them attached to different lengths of chain. OOPS I just noticed that the tassell was snagged on the chain when I took this photo! Each bead tassell element should be hanging free.
I had beads left over, so why not make matching earrings? In less than an hour this little necklace got a makeover that took it out of the 90’s and it is ready to go new places in 2019!
Awesome update! I love how creative you are.
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Awww thanks!
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I Love how the set turned out. The “oxidized” metal pieces might have worked in a steam-punk or mermaid/beach project. Can you tell that I NEVER throw anything away? LOL!
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