Jingle Berry Lariat
Add a bit of festive to your everyday wardrobe with this simple necklace. When I spied this perfect evergreen toggle clasp from Mary Harding I immediately knew that this would have to be used front and center in a lariat style. The key to making a lariat work is thinking long and lean and making whatever comes through the hole in the toggle fit through but not so easily that it falls out. This cluster of pearls and copper leaf dangles works perfectly.
Supplies:
21 1/2″ antique copper plated cable chain
2 branch connectors, one each in sizes 2 1/4″ and 1″, antique copper
3 jump rings
24 gauge wire or head pin
assorted green baroque and cranberry seed pearls
(opt: small copper tabs left over from a fringe chain or even some tiny bells!)
1 ceramic toggle clasp (save the bar for another project)
Directions:
1. Cut off a 1 1/2″ piece of the chain. Attach that to the larger branch connector. Use the wire or head pins to create pearl dangles. Open the links on the chain to add them, alternating between the baroque shape and the seed pearls. Add the optional copper tags to the pearl groups.
2. To the top of the large branch, attach a jump ring and the 20″ of chain. Add two pearl dangles to the jump ring.
3. To the other side of the chain, attach a jump ring and a few more pearl dangles, and add the small branch connector.
4. Use one more jump ring to attach the ceramic toggle to the small branch.
5. Pass the pearl dangles through the hole on the toggle for a festive look.
Suppliers: chain and pearls (Rings & Things); branch connectors (Nunn Designs); wire, head pins and jump rings (Vintaj); ceramic toggle (Mary Harding Jewelry on Etsy)
Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote – not dust!) to [email protected]. Check out her brand spankin’ new website at Tesori Trovati.
Alice
December 8, 2010 at 12:39 pmBeautiful and so festive! I love the 'jingle berries'. Thanks for sharing.
Paige
December 8, 2010 at 1:33 pmErin, this is gorgeous!!! I love the toggle, too!
Miss Val's Creations
December 8, 2010 at 1:40 pmThis is such a beautiful piece! Wonderful instruction.
Birgitta Lejonklou
December 8, 2010 at 2:55 pmI do love that idea to use the toggle clasp
and those pearls hanging out
awesum !! how s that spelled?
maryharding
December 8, 2010 at 2:59 pmWow!! Erin. What a beautiful necklace with my ceramic toggle. Love the colors you chose to go with it. Thanks for posting it.
Heather Powers
December 8, 2010 at 5:23 pmI love, love, love this necklace! I think I'm going to make one with one of my toggles to wear for holidays.
Anna Lear
December 8, 2010 at 6:07 pmJust wonderful! I have numerous gemstone donuts and want to try this style with them right now! Thanks so much for sharing your creation with us!
TesoriTrovati
December 8, 2010 at 8:56 pmWhat a great idea to use gemstone donuts! I never would have thought of that. And there are so many other cool toggles out there that would work, or even filigree rings…the possibilities are endless!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
CraftCrave
December 9, 2010 at 1:11 amJust a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [09 Dec 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
KeRobinson
December 9, 2010 at 12:37 pmI love the design you came up with 🙂
Fits these beads perfectly!
Off the Beadin' Path
December 11, 2010 at 8:37 pmDangles always look so graceful and elegant and the pearls with the copper tags are lovely! This design is a year-round winner, thanks for being you!