DIY Network

The Layered Look: Garnet Lariat with Brooch Center From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-505

In this segment, guest jewelry architect Melinda Farrell joins host Jackie Guerra to demonstrate how to make a beautiful layered lariat using garnet and citrine nuggets. This piece is designed to be draped around your neck, your wrist, your hips, and even your ankles, in as many different layers as you fancy.

Experience Level: Beginner

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Guest Melinda Farrell shows you how to create this lovely lariat with a brooch center.

Materials --

24 carat golden flow wire
4 strands of garnet beads in different textures and cuts, enough to fill 4 feet of wire
Semi-precious gem nuggets -- small to medium size to contrast with garnet beads and to form center detail
G.S. Hypo Cement

Tools --

Wire cutters (invest in a good pair)
Flat nose pliers
Jewelry tweezers

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Garnet Lariat with Brooch Center

1. On a non-slip beading square lay out your rows of garnet beads, your gold wire and your gem nuggets.

2. Cut a single length of gold flow wire leaving an extra foot of room as you will be using a backstitch technique to thread through your stones and back through to secure (figure A).

   Note: Be sure to cut an extra foot of wire, as you will be doubling up on your backstitch.

3. Thread the golden wire through the first citrine gem nugget leaving room to loop the tail back through the nugget. Tie a knot through the two strands of wire to form a seal, dab with a bit of Hypo cement. Let dry and snip end.

4. Thread the wire through about five inches of garnet beads, varying up the texture and cut to create a unique pattern (figure B).

5. Repeat the process in step two to affix another "anchor" gem nugget to the lariat.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you get to the end of the gem line, interspersing garnets with citrine nugget detail. Remember to backstitch the nuggets to keep them in place, just like you did at the beginning.

   Note from Jackie: The lariat, unlike a lot of other pieces of jewelry, is built from end-to-end versus from the middle out.

7. To make the optimal lariat centerpiece detail, you can take a vintage piece, or build your own brooch (figure C).

8. To make your own brooch (figure D), take either 24-gauge gold or silver half hard wire and, using one continuous piece in a looping circle (be sure to create a tiny curve in the end to form a seal), place contrasting beads onto the wire and loop in the shape of a petal until you have the outline of a flower.

9. Continue looping gem flower petals with the wire until you have formed a flower. Leave enough of a tail to affix a gem nugget center.

10. Loop the wire tail through the nugget and then pull through the back of the flower and roll the end of the tail in a circle until you've rolled the wire in itself. Gently flatten and add tiny bit of glue for seal.

11. Thread open wire through back of gem detail to affix it to lariat.

12. Repeat Step 2 to affix nugget to end. Clip excess.

    Note: The lariat can also be worn as a bracelet or belt (figure E) . Wear with delight! Using this same technique and different stones, you can create lovely necklaces to adorn all your outfits (figure F). If you use semi-precious gemstones in your necklaces and bracelets, you will have something that you will wear forever.

RESOURCES :

Melinda Farrell's Jewelry
Available exclusively at: Website: store.latebloomerboutique.com

Garnet Beads, Wires and Gem Nuggets
Beads of Paradise
Phone: 818-907-7719

Jewelry Tools and Equipment
Toll-free: 800-545-6566
Website: www.riogrande.com

GUESTS :

Melinda Ann Farrell
Jewelry Designer
We apologize no contact information is available.