Barrier Reef Necklace Tutorial

Dakota Stones Mixed Impression Jasper with Blue Silk Ribbon Necklace

Skill LevelBeginner

TechniqueSimple Stringing

Time1-3 Hours

Approximate Size34 Inches

If you go snorkeling in tropical waters, these are the colors you'll see! author signature

It might be frustrating when you don't have enough beads for a full beaded design, but there are other options for finishing your project. Cynthia demonstrates how silk ribbon can make a wonderful option for finishing looks in this necklace design. She paired ribbon with Dakota Stones gemstone beads and crystal bicones. You can see more ideas for how to finish jewelry when you don't have enough beads in this Artbeads Cafe episode.

Step-by-Step Instructions Expand All Steps

Cut a length of jewelry wire approximately 11 inches long. Slide a sterling silver 2x2mm crimp tube onto the end of the wire, followed by a TierraCast silver-plated open round jump ring. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube. Crimp in place.

Crimp Tool Tutorial
Crimp Tube Video Tutorial

Add the following pattern to the wire:

One 5mm XILION Bicone in Tangerine
One TierraCast antique rhodium 4mm beaded bead cap
One Dakota Stones 8x10mm mixed impression jasper tumbled nugget bead
One bead cap

Repeat this pattern 8 times and then add a bicone.

Slide a crimp tube onto the end of the strand, followed by a jump ring. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube and crimp in place. Hide each crimp tube on each end of the strand with a TierraCast silver-plated brass 3mm crimp cover for each.

Crimp Cover Tutorial

Cut the hand-dyed Lady Sings the Blues dark and light blue silk ribbon in half. Slide a 4x4mm sterling silver crimp tube onto the cut end of one half. Then, bring that cut half through the jump ring on one side of your beaded strand. Bring the cut half back down through the crimp tube. You may need to use tweezers to achieve this. Flatten the crimp tube in place with chain or flat nose pliers. Repeat on the other side of the necklace with the other half of the ribbon.

List of Components
Dakota Stones 8x10mm Mixed Impression Jasper Tumbled Nugget Bead Strand (R0940, qty 1)
TierraCast Antique 4mm Beaded Bead Cap Bead Cap (SA-5599, qty 18)
5328 5mm XILION Bicone Tangerine (5328-TGR5, qty 10)
4x4mm Sterling Silver Crimp Tube (SS-CRM12, qty 2)
Hand-Dyed Lady Sings the Blues Dark and Light Blue Silk Ribbon with Dark Blue Edges (SILK0017, qty 1)
TierraCast Silver-Plated Open Round Jump Ring (S-0020, qty 2)
Sterling Silver 2 x 2mm Crimp Tube (SS-CRM2, qty 2)
TierraCast Silver-Plated Brass 3mm Crimp Cover (S-0032, qty 2)

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Nice choice! All or most of the products needed for this project are shown below with quantities. Sometimes we sell out of components and aren’t able to order more from the manufacturer (we know, it is very disappointing to us, too). Use the opportunity to mix up the design and make it yours by substituting similar products or altering the entire color scheme—it’s up to you!