Lucite Beach
Ball Necklace
Designed by Kristin Burgess

Time to hit the beach!   Warm sunny days remind us that summer is coming and with it I present this playful nautical charm necklace.  Lucite in all different "beach ball" colors mix in wonderfully with our nautical plastics that have just arrived!  Snail shells, star fish, clam shells, golden fish and more sea themed creatures 'washing up' daily!  




This project requires wireworking.   For this project you will need... 17 head pins, 6 blue lucite "beach balls", 6 snail shells and 5 golden large snail shells.   You may want to use more beads for a fuller, more lush design.  Leaving about an inch between each bead really allows you to showcase the beads in the design without it being too busy.  Consider this after creating the tutorial below.  You can always go back into the necklace after and add more "charms".  The Beadin' Path also offers a Wireworks I class if you are able to make it to the store to take a class.  Preregistration is necessary and can be done online or over the phone.  Our classes are always posted online if you are looking for a fun vacation destination!  Come see our expanded storefront this summer!

Step 1:

This necklace measures 23 inches long for a longer style necklace look.  The size can easily be adjusted shorter by simply starting and working with a shorter piece of chain.  Cut the initial 22 inches of chain (later the clasp will complete the final length).  Using a split ring or two open jump rings now attach one side of the clasp to one end of the chain.    Feed on a single split ring with the split ring pliers OR use the flat pliers to attach two open jump rings to connect the end of chain to the clasp.  Repeat this process for the vacant far side of the chain to connect it to the other side of the clasp.

Step 2: 
Making a charm necklace can be challenging in that there are many movable beads/parts to contend with.   First you will want to make a small pile of beads and headpins on a clean work surface.  Find the center of the necklace by folding chain exactly in half.  We will attach the a bead here to designate that this is the center.  Take one head pin and feed it up into the large gold snail shell lucite.  The flat part of the pin will show looking at the bead head on.  Bend, with your fingers, the wire against the bead and upward.  The pin should now stick out from the center of the top of the bead.  Use the flat pliers to establish a "seat" or a 90 degree angle so that the bead hangs from the pin in an even and centered fashion.   Make an open loop with the remaining wire and attach to the center of the chain.  To attach the bead with loop to the chain use the chain or flat nose pliers and carefully swing the loop to the side slightly (don't pry open as you will lose the round shape).  Thread onto the chain then swing the loop back shut.

Step 3: 

Count 8 rings to the side of the center charm.  This is where the next "charm" will go.  Create an open loop charm with the small snail shell and apply to this "8th" loop on the chain.  8 loops from this "charm" attahcment create and attach a blue lucite bead charm.  12 loops from this blue bead create an open loop on the large gold snail shell.  Attach this "charm" to this "12th" loop on the chain.  12 loops from here attach a small snail shell charm.  12 loops from this charm attach a blue lucite bead.  12 loops from here create a charm with the large gold snail shell and attach to this link in the chain.  12 loops from here create a charm with the small snail shell and attach to this "12th" link in the chain.  10 loops from here create and attach a blue bead charm.  One side of the necklace is complete!  Follow the pattern from the top of step 3 to build the symmetrical second side of the necklace building from the center out as before.  
NOTE: The second side will end with a small snail shell and not the blue beach ball as in side one.

Step 4: 

With all the charms attached you are ready to add the clasp!  Use the split ring opener to feed one split ring onto the end of the chain and also include the clasp in this.  Repeat for the second side of the chain and the second side of the clasp.  Some beaders may prefer to use two open jump rings instead of split rings if you prefer.  Using two open jump rings on either side (for a total of four in the piece) works fine too if you do not have split rings or prefer a dfferent look.   A lobster claw or toggle type clasp would look great on this necklace for an alternative clasp idea.
Use leftovers to make funky beach earrings!  Enjoy!