Polka Dot Sea Glass Surprise
Designed by Kristin Burgess


A fresh shipment of our Sea Glass has been cracked open and wonderful nuggets, rounds, disc shapes, chips and more are hitting our showroom floor!  The wonderful matte tones and sea- influenced colors, are all the rage this summer so be sure to try them out.  
Mix a few colors for a colorful chunky look or space out a solid design using our vintage and contemporary glass rounds.   Blues and Greens sell exceptionally fast.   Be sure to stock up on your favorite shapes before they all swim out to sea!

Chinese Sea Glass 20mm Puff Discs Matte Alexandrite 5pc. Chinese Sea Glass Matte Mint Green Large Flattened Tumbled Nuggets 17-27mm 4-5pc. Chinese Sea Glass Matte Seafoam Green Large Flattened Tumbled Nuggets 17-27mm 4" strand Dalmation Jasper Round 8mm Sold per Strand Sterling Silver Extreme Softflex .014 Fine 30ft Spool sold per spool Czech Glass 6mm Crystal Rounds 50pc. Vintage India Glass 6mm Lt Sapphire AB Luster Rounds 30pc. Chinese Sea Glass 4mm Rounds Matte Crystal 50pc +/- Sterling Silver Toggle Clasp 1-Strand 12-17mm 6pc/ Pkg Sterling Silver Crimp Beads 2x2mm 100pc/pkg     Bead Smith Bead The Bead Smith Soft Flex Cutter In Stock

This project is great for all levels!  Stringing and crimping are involved with this project.   This necklace is 24 inches long.  One strand of each of the materials is needed.  Two strands are needed of each if you choose to keep the sea glass pattern going fully around.   Two crimps and one toggle set (or alternative clasp set) is need to clasp off the necklace.  I find it helpful to string the pattern directly onto the Softflex spool so I can later find the perfect length in the mirror BEFORE crimping the the clasp to both ends. 

Step 1:

With a clean work area prepared, make small piles of each of the beads in the materials box.  First we will string the sea glass center pattern and later add a pattern of rounds to each side of the necklace to make up the perfect final length.  Stringing straight onto your Softflex spool, thread on this pattern: 
1 Dalmation Jasper, 1 small matte sea glass round, 1 alexandrite disc, 1 Dalmation Jasper round, 1 small sea glass round, 1 mint green sea glass, 1 Dalmation Jasper, 1 small matte sea glass round, 1 sea foam green tumbled nugget, 1 Dalmation Jasper, 1 small matte sea glass round, 1 alexandrite disc, 1 Dalmation Jasper, 1 small matte sea glass round, and so on...continue this pattern until a total of four of the sea foam green have been strung.  Now thread on 1 Dalmation Jasper and 1 small matte sea glass round.  This center section should measure about 16 inches.  If you would like an 18 inch necklace then an additional inch will need to be added to either side of the necklace.  Alternating the matte sea glass rounds with clear rounds and Indian Sapphire AB rounds will add a thinner ending, graduating the necklace a bit to be ended off with a sterling toggle clasp.  We will do this to either side of the strung sea glass pattern.

Step 2:                                                                                                               

The fine Softflex works great for this project as it is very strong yet
thin enough to pick up all the glass used in the project.  To complete the 24 inch necklace (as pictured) you will need 4 inches of rounds alternating on either end of the necklace (to make a total of 24 inches).  To finish off this chunky sea glass necklace, thread on one sterling crimp bead onto the Softflex.  Feed on one end of the sterling toggle then take the Softflex and thread it back through the crimp only (catching the toggle end in the Softflex loop).  With an inch of back track, adjust the Softflex loop with crimp snuggly to the toggle.  Using the crimper tool, crimp this bead on tightly.  First use the inside spot of the crimper tool to create the valley then place sideways to fold crimp literally in half.  The back of your crimper tool has step by step instructions as well.
                                                                                  
Step 3: 

This final length works well under a collared shirt or over a summer blouse or dress.  The three Sea Glass colors used (mint, alexandrite, and seafoam green) work well together as they are in the same tonal value only different colors.  Break out of the box and experiment with other color combos.   An alternative three bead combination that works well... capri with opal and opaque light blue.   Mixing and matching the large tumbled nuggets with the flattened discs really works well together.  Alternating shapes adds to the level of creativity and interest in your piece. 

NOTE:  Who doesn't LOVE leftovers?!  Leftovers include many glass rounds (frosted, clear and sapphire ab).  Consider linking a few together to make funky matching earrings.   Stock up on the Sea Glass and make a chunky bracelet to match!  The flattened slabs also make lovely little pendants that would look lovely on a headpin and wired onto some sterling chain.  The possiblities are endless!