Raspberry Clusters - Necklace and Earring Set

As seen in the Rings & Things 2009 Fall Supplement
Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue

Earrings
2 #20-661-242-114 Freshwater pearl balls with crystals, garnet/burgundy
6 #20-635-242 5mm freshwater potato pearl beads, garnet
6 #49-955-05-7 5mm TierraCast® nugget heishi beads, antiqued copper plate
6 #24-104-7 4mm round filigree beads, antiqued copper plate
6 #37-063-24 1" extra-thin head pins, solid copper
6 #37-422-7 2" standard head pins, antiqued copper plate
4 #41-151-99-20-8 Center-crimp tubes with loop, copper plate
4" #40-099-28-7 0.8mm beading chain, antiqued copper plate
2 #34-003-8 TierraCast French hook ear wires, copper-colored niobium

Necklace
3 #20-661-242-114 Freshwater pearl balls with crystals, garnet/burgundy
2 #41-151-99-20-8 Center-crimp tubes with loop, copper plate
6 #24-104-7 4mm round filigree beads, antiqued copper plate
6 #41-252-8 2mm seamless crimp tubes, solid copper
1 #39-340-7 10mm lobster clasp, antiqued copper plate
1 #37-145-7 6mm round jump ring, antiqued copper plate
18" #40-099-28-7 0.8mm beading chain, antiqued copper plate

Tools: cutters, round-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers

TIP: Flatten the center portion of the center-crimp tubes using very narrow flat-nose pliers, or use round-nose pliers.

Earring Tips:
*Crimp the bottom center-crimp tube, then string the pearl ball bead down and gently pop it over the crimp. The pearl ball beads are strung on clear stretchy cord, so one of the holes should fit nicely over this crimp end. Add your dangles to the bottom loop of the crimp tube.

* String the pearl beads on the extra-thin head pins, and the metal beads on the standard-weight antiqued copper head pins. A mixture of bright and antiqued copper head pins, to continue the mixed finishes of the findings above them, but you might prefer to antique all your head pins before you start this project.

Necklace Tips:
* The 4mm filigree beads nicely align the pearl clusters on the beading chain. When crimping, push the filigree beads snug up to the clusters, but not too tight.

* Try to flatten all crimp tubes the same direction on the (square) chain. Simply flatten them with smooth flat-nose pliers.

See our Beading Cable Technique Sheet for stringing instructions and Beaded Head & Eye Pin Technique Sheet for creating nice head-pin loops.

To view our jewelry-making technique sheets (PDF files), you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download it free here.

View more Necklace design ideas, or post questions on the Rings & Things Discussion Forum. Don't be shy! If you're wondering, so is someone else!

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