Family Building Blocks Necklace Tutorial

Ball Chain Necklace with Rainbow Tassel

Skill LevelBeginner

TechniqueCold Connections & Metal-Working

Time1-3 Hours

Approximate Size24 Inches

Miyuki Crochet Thread works well for tassels. This one had all of the colors I was looking for on one spool. author signature

You can customize your jewelry designs in unique ways with the help of metal stamps. This fun tassel necklace features a cube bead displaying a tree stamp along with family initials, for a design that speaks to your heritage or a growing family tree. See more ways to incorporate metal stamps into your jewelry in this Artbeads Cafe episode.

Step-by-Step Instructions Expand All Steps

Use the Miyuki rainbow bead crochet thread with the Beadalon tassel maker to make a tassel.

Tassel Maker Video Tutorial

Cut a length of silver 24 gauge Artbeads Designer Wire and thread through the fold at the top of the tassel. Fold the ends of the wire up over the fold and make a wrapped loop. Bind the tassel with more rainbow thread. You may need to iron the tassel after it's complete in order for it to lay flat. Simply lay the tassel between a cloth and press.

Tassel Wrapping Tutorial

Use the ImpressArt Jeanie uppercase metal stamps and ImpressArt tree of life metal stamp to stamp the surfaces of the pewter small blank cube bead. The tree is a great symbol for a family tree and then you can add initials of your family members.

Metal Stamping Text Tutorial
Metal Stamping Video Tutorial with Cheri Carlson
Metal Stamping Video Tutorial with Candie Cooper
Metal Stamping Video Tutorial

Open the eye on a 1.5-inch silver-plated 23 gauge eye pin and add the wrapped loop holding the tassel. Close the eye. Add a 3.8x1mm Czech glass lava red O bead to the eye pin. Add several 11/0 TOHO seed beads and slide the cube bead over them. The TOHO beads will help keep the cube bead in place on the eye pin. Add another O bead and make a wrapped loop at the top of the beads.

Cut a length of 1.5mm antique silver-plated brass diamond cut ball chain approximately 23-24 inches long. Clasp the ends together using an antique silver-plated brass ball chain connector. Add the tassel focal to the chain using a 6mm antique silver-plated 18 gauge open jump ring.qty 1)
TOHO Bead Round 11/0 Semi-Glazed Clover 8g Bag (TBRD11-2603F

List of Components:
Pewter Small Blank Cube Bead (BEAD-4118, qty 1)
Miyuki Rainbow Bead Crochet Thread (SUP-0093, qty 1)
3.8x1mm Czech Glass Lava Red O Bead 8 gram Pack (BEADS-0676, qty 1)
Artbeads Designer Wire - Silver Non-Tarnish 24 Gauge (36 ft. spool) (ADW0049, qty 1)
1.5mm Antique Silver-Plated Brass Diamond Cut Ball Chain By the Foot (BTF-0530, qty 2)
Antique Silver-Plated Brass Chain Connector for 1mm and 1.5mm Chain (CLASP-0549, qty 1)
6mm Antique Silver-Plated Open Jump Ring - 18 Gauge (FIND-0468, qty 1)
1.5-inch Silver-Plated 23 Gauge Eye Pin (SP-EP15-24, qty 1)

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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!