Thunderbird Ridge Necklace Tutorial

Add an oval bead to a TierraCast copper 2-inch 21 gauge head pin and make a simple loop at the top of the bead. We don't carry the oval beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (14x10mm oval bead in Crystal Red Magma) to the supplies list. Repeat four times for a total of five dangles.

Simple Loop Tutorial

Add a nugget bead to a head pin and make a simple loop at the top of the bead. We don't carry the nugget beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (Dakota Stones peach moonstone large top drill nugget beads) to the supplies list. Repeat five times for a total of six dangles.

Cut a length of 24 gauge Copper Artbeads Designer Wire approximately three inches long. Center a TierraCast antique copper-plated pewter Western bead on the wire. Fold the wire down around the bead and attach a TierraCast antique copper-plated pewter Thunderbird charm to both ends of the wire by making a wrapped loop. Repeat three times for a total of four beads.

Wrapped Loop Tutorial

Cut a length of jewelry wire 3 ½-4 inches longer than the desired length for the longest strand of your necklace. Add a Thunderbird bead to the center of the wire.

Add the following pattern to one side of the bead:

• One white roundel. We don't carry the roundel used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (3.8x1mm Czech glass chalk white O beads) to the supplies list.
• Three red beads. We don't carry the beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (Miyuki 8/0 transparent silver lined orange red Delicas) to the supplies list.
• Six turquoise beads. We don't carry the beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (Miyuki 8/0 inside color lined crystal/aqua Delicas) to the supplies list.
• One nugget dangle
• Eight turquoise beads
• One oval bead dangle
• Nine turquoise beads
• Three red beads
• One white roundel
• One Thunderbird bead
• One white roundel
• Three red beads
• Eight turquoise beads
• One nugget dangle
• 10 turquoise beads
• One oval bead dangle

Make a mirror image of this pattern on the other side of the center bead. Finish both ends with turquoise beads until it is the desired length.

Add a TierraCast antique copper 2x2mm crimp to one end of the wire, followed by a TierraCast 8mm copper-plated brass open round jump ring. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube and crimp in place. Repeat on the other end of the wire.

Crimp Tool Tutorial
Crimp Tube Video Tutorial

Cut a length of jewelry wire a little bit shorter than your first strand, again making sure to add 3 1/2 -4 inches for crimping. Add an oval bead dangle to the center of the wire.

Add the following pattern to one side of the center dangle:

• 9-10 turquoise beads
• Three red beads
• One white roundel
• One plain Western bead
• One white roundel
• Three red beads
• 12 turquoise beads
• Three red beads
• One white roundel
• One plain Western bead
• One white roundel
• Three red beads

Make a mirror image of this bead pattern on the other side of the center dangle. Finish both ends with turquoise beads until it is the desired length.

Slide a crimp tube onto the end of the wire and then go through the jump ring at one end of your necklace. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube and crimp in place. Repeat for the other end of the wire.

Cut a length of jewelry wire a little bit shorter than the previous strand, again making sure to add 3 1/2 -4 inches for crimping. Add a Thunderbird bead to the center of the wire.

Add the following pattern to one side of the center bead:

• One white roundel
• Three red beads
• Four-five turquoise beads
• One nugget dangle
• Four-five turquoise beads
• Three red beads
• One white roundel
• One plain Western bead
• One white roundel
• Three red beads

Make a mirror image of this bead pattern on the other side of the center dangle. Finish both ends with turquoise beads until it is the desired length.

Slide a crimp tube onto the end of the wire and then go through the jump ring at one end of your necklace. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube and crimp in place. Repeat for the other end of the wire.

Open the jump ring at one end of your necklace and add the TierraCast 15x9mm antique copper-plated brass lobster clasp. Close the jump ring.

List of Components
Miyuki 8g 8/0 Inside Color Lined Crystal/Aqua Delicas (DBL0904, qty 1)
Miyuki 8g 8/0 Transaprent Silver Lined Orange Red Delicas (DBL0043, qty 1)
3.8x1mm Czech Glass Chalk White O Beads (8-gram pack) (BEADS-0677, qty 1)
5050 14x10mm Oval Bead Crystal Red Magma (5050-RMM14, qty 5)
Dakota Stones Peach Moonstone Large Top Drill Nugget Bead Strand (R1291, qty 1)
TierraCast Antique Copper-Plated Pewter Western Bead (CA5831, qty 10)
TierraCast Antique Copper-Plated Pewter Thunderbird Charm (CA2531, qty 4)
TierraCast Copper 2-inch 21 Gauge Head Pin (C-0028, qty 11)
TierraCast Antique Copper 2x2mm Crimp (C-0030, qty 6)
TierraCast 8mm Copper-Plated Brass Open Round Jump Ring (CA-0026, qty 2)
TierraCast 15 x 9mm Antique Copper-Plated Brass Lobster Clasp (CA-0111, qty 1)
Artbeads Designer Wire - Copper Non-Tarnish 24 Gauge (60 ft. spool) (ADW0039, qty 1)