Spiral Beaded Necklaces

This is a spiral necklace which I adapted from a very beautiful book "The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving: New Jewelry Designs with Classic Stitches" by Carol Wilcox Wells.  The back cover has a primary coloured bracelet which is what got me going.  I didn't want a bracelet, so a necklace seemed the next best thing.  The problem for me (because this is only the 2nd beading project that I have attempted) was how to finish it.  The answer came in another book on making beaded beads: "Beadwork Creates Beaded Beads" by Jean Campbell, published by Interweave Press.  Voila - it was exactly what I was looking for.  The only problem I ran into is that I listened to an "expert" in the beadstore where I purchased the beads for the first necklace.  He recommended I use "c" or "b" thread to make the necklace.  NOT STRONG ENOUGH!!!!  Unfortunately, I didn't know this until the piece was completed and it was too late to change it.  Now it can be displayed, but sadly not worn. 

The second, and still unfinished piece is much more colorful and playful, made with many more sizes of beads and with nymo thread. It will last a lifetime through any pull or tug - believe me, I have tried it ......

contents © Esther Budd, 2005. All rights reserved.