Vintage "20's"
Flapper Necklace
Designed by Kristin Burgess



These little Sparklies are fun to create and are sure to fly!  Celebrate the jewelry trends of the 1920s...  lengthy chain necklaces, often layered at slightly different lengths, and often times supporting a single center pendant. 
Our Vintage Gunmetal color chains match Swarovski's Birdcage buttons and add a touch of history to this striking design.  Great beginner beader project or take a break from all that weaving/linking!  With just a little epoxy you will be able to whip out these pendants in no time at all.  Explore more chain options by checking out our vintage chain section or add these pendants to earwires to make instant matching earrings.  It's time to hit the town... tonight! 















This project is great for all levels.  Opening jump rings and gluing are necessary to complete this project.   Please read the E-6000 tube and follow instructions below to make these sparkly Flapper style pendants!

Step 1:

Prepare a clean workspace and be sure it is in a well ventilated area.  Rubber gloves are a good idea as well.  E-6000 is an industrial strength adhesive that works great but should be used smartly.  If you do not use gloves be sure and wash your hands well with warm water and soap after every use (this has worked great for me).   Please read tube before use.

Some items to have on hand that will help assist you in the process...
a toothpick or awl
a piece of cardboard or paper (you will use to put the glue on first when applying so this will be all yucky eventually and be discarded).
A damp rag

Step 2: 

Squeeze out a small dollop of E-6000 onto the cardboard.   Using the toothpick or awl apply a small amount to the back center of the Swarovski button.  It is difficult to explain how much to use but here is a little advice...  Use a good amount of the glue to be sure that as much of the button as possible is being adhered to the lucite.  Don't put too much on the outside edge of the button as when you push it onto the lucite you want to avoid glue from coming out on the sides.  If this should happen the damp cloth will help take it away or using another clean toothpick can help clean up excessive glue.  Either way it is best to be quick about it so that the glue does not set exposed.    Place the button over the bottom of the lucite pendant to get a visual of where the button and pendant do connect so you can better judge where the epoxy should be applied on the button.

Step 3:

With the button on the lucite you will want to allow this component 10-12 hours so that it can fully dry.  The pendant may seem dry after an hour but does not fully set in one hour.   When your pendant or pendants have fully dried then it is time to attach the open jump rings to make it ready to add onto the chain.  The flat nose pliers work great in opening and closing jump rings.  With the pliers hold one side of the jump ring (with your dominant hand) just after its seam and with your non-dominant hand use your fingers (or another tool same position) to grab the other side of the ring and swing apart.  By swinging the ring open in this manner (sideways) you aren't pulling the ring into a larger oval thus creating a gap that is difficult to close.  This "swinging-the-door" sideways method will then allow you to swing the ring back together, after including the chain, matching the rings ends exactly opposite each other with no gap or open seam.  Practice and familiarity with this technique will allow there to be no visable gap at all and to anyone it would appear that the ring itself was actually sautered shut.  This may take a few times.  That's ok!  You will want to get it just right.  These details not only make the pendant-to-chain connection stronger but also makes the necklace more finished and even more professional looking.  

Step 4:   

Using the same "swing-the-door" sideways method using the jump rings and flat-nose tool to apply the toggle clasp to the chain.    The chain comes in three foot section so you may want to cut them in half and have two 18" pieces for two seperate necklaces or perhaps a double strand?  Or cut chain longer so that the pendant hangs lower.  Experiment with these possibilites in a mirror to consider which really suits your style, or if a gift, then the recipient's style.  With all seams closed you are ready to go.  The bar part of the clasp fits through the loop by passing it through the loop sideways and then the clasp will catch.  

NOTE:  When you are done be sure to clean area and hands well (especially if this project took place on say... the kitchen table! :)   When replacing the cap of the E-6000 back onto the tube first clean the threads of the tube (where the cap screws onto) with the damp rag.  This will avoid gluing the cap permantly onto the tube.  That's how strong this epoxy is!  A tube of E-6000 will last a very long time if you take care to do this after every use.  Happy Beadin'!