Garnet Bracelet & Cluster Earrings

This bracelet and earring set was designed by Leah Levin, one of the designers at my company, Nina Designs. The original was made in garnet, but you can substitute any gemstone beads you like. Amethyst, onyx, and labradorite are good alternatives.

Bracelet
STEP 1.
Thread the bead needle with 2′ of thread. Pull the thread through to double it and then tape the 2 ends together instead of tying a knot. Leave 3″ at the end of the thread for tying a knot later.

STEP 2.
Thread a bead tip with the needle passing through the hook side first so that the hook faces the tape. This is important so that later when you tie off the bracelet the knot will sit in the cup of the bead tip.

STEP 3.
String 6 2.Smm garnet beads. Repeat this pattern 3 times: I silver rondelle, I Smm garnet bead, I silver rondelle, 3 2.Smm garnet beads, I silver rondelle, I 5mm garnet bead, I 2-hole silver spacer bar, I 5mm garnet bead, I silver rondelle, and 3 2.Smm garnet beads.

STEP 4.
Add I silver rondelle, I Smm garnet bead, I silver rondelle, 6 2.5mm garnet beads. String the bead tip round side first, so that the hook is facing the out side. Adjust the beads so that there is an extra 3″ of thread at each end of the strand, then tape the end and cut the thread.

STEP 5.
Use the rest of the thread to string the second strand of the bracelet according to the same pattern as the first strand. When you come to the silver spacer bars, go through the second hole.

STEP 6.
You should have 2 identical strands attached by the spacer bars, with bead tips and taped ends. Take the tape off one end and tie 3 knots atop one another. Slide the beads on the strand down against the bead tip and tie off the other, end. Don’t pull the strand too tight. Leave about 1/8 between the knot below to adjust the tension. Again, don’tpull it too tight. Both knots should now rest inside the cups of the bead tips. Knot the second strand the same way. Trim the tread and put a drop of watch glue on each knot. Don’t trim too close to the knot, and leave about 1/8 of thread. Hook the bead tips onto the jump rings on the clasp. Use the pliers to tuck the hooks closed inside the cup of the tip so that they don’t get caught on clothing.

STEP 7.
For the dangle, thread I Smm garnet bead, 1 silver rondelle and I 2.Smm garnet bead on the head pin. Bend the wire back at a right angle just above the beads. Use the round- nose pliers to bend a loop into the pin and slip it over the last jump ring on the adjustable clasp. Twist the end of the pin around the base of the loop twice and clip off the ex- cess wire.

Earrings
STEP 1.
Thread all 12 head pins with the same pattern you used for the bracelet dangle: I Smm garnet bead, 1 silver rondelle, I 2.5mm garnet bead. Bead the head pins back above the beads and use the round-tip pliers to form a loop.

STEP 2.
One at a time, slip the loops over the rings on the earring tops. Twist the wire around the back twice and clip off the excess. There are 12 head pins and 6 loops. Hang 2 pins from each loop to create the cluster look. Each dangle should move freely and swing slightly when the earring top moves.

Nina Cooper is a frequent contributor to Lapidary Journal and the owner and operator of
Nina Designs. Check out other designs at www.ninadesigns.com, or call (800) 336-6462. Ms. Cooper is the author of the feature story “Business in Paradise, ” November 2000, which discusses the positives and pitfalls of do ing business in Bali.

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