Siren's Song Necklace Tutorial

Starfish and Ocean Coral Seed Bead Bib Necklace

Skill LevelAdvanced (or at least patient)

TechniqueKumihimo

Time6+ Hours

Approximate Size20 Inches

Bead coralling allows you to create gorgeous backdrops, just like we did for this ocean-themed bib necklace. author signature

Like a siren's seductive song this alluring necklace will draw others into your style. Its ocean reef colors expressed through elegant kumihimo-style braids and intricate seed bead embellishments are sure to catch everyone's eye.

Step-by-Step Instructions Expand All Steps

Use precious metal liquid jewelry cleaner and a polishing cloth to buff the Hill Tribe Silver large starfish pendant and the Hill Tribe Silver starfish S clasp to give them a richer shine. Set both aside.

Cut the 6x8mm silver-plated shell chain into two 6-inch strands. Attach each end of both strands to one 1.27x5.0mm sterling silver open jump ring. Note that the shells on this chain are all facing one direction. Be sure to keep both lengths of chain facing the same way. Connect one jump ring from each chain to the S clasp.

Set up a kumihimo braid. We chose to create a basic round braid using 6 strands of super-lon bead cord strung with 8/0 TOHO bead rounds in yellow-lined aqua and one hand-dyed silk ribbon that we cut in half for the last two strands, for a total of 8 strands. You will want to cut your Super-Lon bead cord the same length as your silk ribbon, approximately 16 inches long. Make sure to position the seed bead strands together on the kumihimo disk and the silk ribbon strands together on the kumihimo disk (For example, start with two seed bead strands on slot 8, two seed bead strands on slot 16, two silk ribbon strands on slot 24, and two seed bead strands on slot 32).

Kumihimo Setup Text Tutorial
Kumihimo Setup Video Tutorial

The beaded kumihimo section on our necklace is approximately 5 3/8 inches long, with approximately 1/4-inch of plain kumihimo on either end (which will fit inside the bead caps later). The kumihimo braid has approximately 44 beads per inch. Therefore, each strand of S-Lon should have approximately 40 beads. Create the beaded kumihimo braid.

Kumihimo with Beads Text Tutorial
Kumihimo with Beads Video Tutorial

Make the coral embellishments using the seed bead coraling technique. We made twenty different pieces using an assortment of 8/0 TOHO bead rounds in yellow-lined aqua, trans-rainbow teal, transparent light plum, frosted transparent orchid and trans-rainbow emerald. Make as many as you like. Make each one approximately 3 1/2 inches long.

Seed Bead Coraling Tutorial

Sew each coral branch to the kumihimo braid using crystal fireline thread and a #11 short beading needle. Use fireline to attach the starfish pendant to the center of the kumihimo braid as well. Use a thread burner to remove any excess thread.

Glue each end of the kumihimo braid to one JBB silver-plated brass leaves swivel end cap using 1-hour two-part epoxy. Allow the glue to dry.

Crimp End and End Cap Tutorial
More Crimp End and End Cap Basics
Fancy Crimp End Tutorial

Attach each end cap to the remaining jump rings from Step two.

List of Components:
TOHO Bead Round 8/0 Yellow Lined Aqua (TBRD8-954, qty 3)
TOHO Bead Round 8/0 Trans-Rainbow Teal (TBRD8-167BD, qty 1)
TOHO Bead Round 8/0 Transparent Light Plum AB (TBRD8-166, qty 3)
TOHO Bead Round 8/0 Frosted Transparent Orchid (TBRD8-19F, qty 3)
TOHO Bead Round 8/0 Trans-Rainbow Green Emerald (TBRD8-179, qty 2)
Hand-Dyed Silk Vintage Mix (RBSILK-MVIN, qty 1)
Sterling Silver Open Jump Ring (1.27 x 5.0mm) (SS-OJR50-C, qty 4)
6x8mm Silver-Plated Shell Chain (BTF-0155, qty 1)
Hill Tribe Silver Starfish S Clasp (HTS313, qty 1)
Hill Tribe Silver Large Starfish Pendant (HTS303, qty 1)
JBB 5mm Silver-Plated Brass Leaves Swivel End Cap (FIND-0798, 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!