DIY Network

Tourmaline Necklace by Rebecca Cullen From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-502

In this first segment jewelry designer Rebecca Cullen joins host Jackie Guerra to demonstrate how she uses a script to get to know the characters who she is designing pieces for. Then she creates a gorgeous tourmaline necklace.

Experience Level: Intermediate

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Rebecca Cullen joins host Jackie Guerra and demonstrates how to create this stunning tourmaline necklace.

Materials --

One #3 Kelly Green silk cord card
9 flat vermeil beads
The following cuts of Rainbow Tourmaline Stones in earthy/muted tones:
Small round faceted stones
Small and medium faceted ovals
Small and medium briolette stones
2 vermeil bead tips
Vermeil clasp
Vermeil jump ring
4" vermeil chain (choose a chain with loops large enough to fit into your clasp)
1-1/2" 26-gauge gold-filled wire

Tools --

Crazy glue
Needle-nose pliers
Clippers
Round nose pliers
Necklace layout tray

Note: Semiprecious stones like tourmaline are available at gem and bead shows.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Tourmaline Necklace

1. Set the layout tray down on a clean surface and design the layout of your necklace (figure A) so that it is 13" long (the chain will make it adjustable from 14-17" in length). Make sure that the larger stones are laid out toward the center of the piece, to show them off. Set one small stone aside as a finishing piece for the chain.

2. Unwrap the silk cord. Uncoil it and stretch it a bit to loosen it up.

3. Make a simple knot at the very end of the cord. Then double the knot and pull it tight (figure B).

4. Slide a bead tip onto the cord, and then slide it all the way to the knot.

5. Start with the first bead in your layout tray, and slide it on the cord. Slide it all the way to the bead tip.

6. Make a knot on the other side of the stone, securing it in place.

   DIY Tip: If you make a knot in the wrong place, you can take a safety pin and poke it through the hole and undo the knot. As you are knotting, you have to make sure and hold the piece you have already made so that the weight of your work doesn't pull your knot into the wrong place.

7. Take every stone in your layout tray and do the same, making knots in between each so that the stones will be secured in place.

8. When the last stone is in place, thread the remaining bead tip, and then make a double knot inside the bead tip. Apply a drop or two of crazy glue to the knots at either end of the necklace. Wait five minutes for the glue to dry. Blow on it a little if you are impatient.

9. Take your clippers and clip the thread dangling off knots, to clean them up.

10. Hook one end of the chain to one of your bead tips (figure C). Close the hook on the bead tip with your needle nose pliers.

11. To create a finish for the chain, take the 1-1/2" of wire, then using your needle nose pliers, bend the very tip into a small coil.

12. Take the bead that you set aside for the finish (a small round stone, or a small oval will be perfect). Thread the bead onto the wire, bringing it all the way down to the coil you have made.

13. Using the wire-wrapping technique, clasp the wire with the round nose pliers. Bend the wire slightly in one direction, then wrap around the needle nose pliers in the other direction to make a loop. Thread the end of the chain into your loop, then wrap three or four times around to secure your loop. Clip the wire that sticks out with your clippers.

14. The other end of the necklace will have a clasp. Open the jump ring with your needle nose pliers, attach the clasp and close the jump ring. Hook the bead top onto the jump ring and close the bead tip using needle nose pliers.

15. You can create many lovely looks using the knotting technique (figure D).

RESOURCES :

Vermeil Beads and Findings
Ritual Adornments
2708 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310-452-4044

GUESTS :

Rebecca Cullen
Rebecca Cullen Jewelry Design
Website: stores.ebay.com/Rebecca-Cullen-Jewelry-Design