DIY Network

Violet Choker by Heidi Boyd From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-412

In this first segment of "Fabric Magic," guest artist-designer Heidi Boyd shows you how to create a sweet velvet choker that you will love to wear any season of the year.

The Materials list and step-by-step instructions are below.

advertisement

Guest Heidi Boyd creates a lovely purple choker you will love to wear anywhere.

Materials --

Small silk pansies
2' of 1-1/2" (4cm) sheer purple ribbon
Small pearl beads
Round bead with a wide opening (such as a glass pony bead)
4 silk leaves

Tools --

VT wire cutters
Hot glue gun/glue sticks or a needle and thread

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Violet Choker

1. Use wire cutters to cut the flowers off the flower stems.

   
   

2. Pull the plastic centers out from each of the flowers so that you have two pieces per flower (figure A).

   
   

3. Cut a 2' length of ribbon and fold it in half to find the center. Lay the ribbon flat on a protected work surface (use old plastic place mats or a vinyl tablecloth; paper will stick to the underside of the choker). Apply a small amount of hot glue to the underside of one set of petals and glue them to the center ribbon.

   
   

4. Apply a small dot of hot glue to the center of a pearl bead and glue it to the center of the flower (figure B).

   
   

5. If you enjoy sewing, stitch the petals and beads to the ribbon to secure. Continue gluing or sewing five pansies 1 to 1-1/2" (3cm-4cm) apart down the length of the ribbon, leaving 3-4" (8cm-10cm) of plain ribbon on either end.

   
   

6. Bring the ribbon ends together and thread them both through the pony bead (figure C).

   
   Tip: Cut the ribbon ends at an angle to ease threading them through the bead.

   
   Note: When you are putting the choker on, slide the bead down some and then just slide it back up once you have the choker in place.

   
   

7. For a decorative accent on the ends, cut four leaves off the discarded flower stems.

   
   

8. Hot glue a pair of leaves to each ribbon end, trapping the ribbon between the layers (figure D). Not only is this decorative, it stops the ribbon from coming through the bead.

   
   

9. Hot glue a flower with a pearl center over the top two leaves.

   
   Tip: You can use this same technique to create a bracelet -- just put the flowers around elastic (figure E).

RESOURCES :

Fairy Crafts: 23 Enchanting Toys, Gifts, Costumes and Party Decorations
158180430X
Heidi Boyd
September 2003
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
North Light Books

Pet Crafts: 28 Great Toys, Gifts and Accessories for Your Favorite Dog or Cat
1581805039
Heidi Boyd
January 2004
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
North Light Books

Wizard Crafts: 23 Spellbinding Toys, Gifts, Costumes and Party Decorations
1581804377
Heidi Boyd
May 2004
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
North Light Books

Simply Beautiful Beading: 53 Quick and Easy Projects
1581805632
Heidi Boyd
August 2004
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
North Light Books

Simply Beautiful Greeting Cards: 50 Quick and Easy Projects
1581805640
Heidi Boyd
January 2005
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
North Light Books

Simply Beautiful Ribbon Crafts
1581805926
Heidi Boyd
June 2005
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
North Light Books