Making The Long Black Link Necklace & Matching Earrings

This jewelry design is a staple for any woman's wardrobe. Wear it with a turtleneck and jeans, to the office layered with silver pieces over a white blouse, or match this with different length pearl and silver necklaces for an evening out.  The matching earrings are big and bold and work as well with jeans as they do for night out to dinner or a club.     For this 30" necklace, you'll need to make 5 copies of each of the four different beaded components (see below for instructions on the beaded components).    If want a longer necklace, just make additional copies of the components. Using the medium oval jump rings, connect the beaded components to the beaded links.    Alternate the links with the beaded components.  In other words, every other link in the necklace should be different (first circle, then square, then back to circle and so on).  In other words, every other link in the necklace should be different (first circle, then square, then back to circle and so on).    You'll also want to attach the beaded components in the following sequence - component A, component B, component C, followed by component D and starting over with component A again.

Using Sterling Silver eyepins you'll slide on the beads listed below and close the eye pins with a loop.   Component (A) is a the Bone tube bead with a 6.5mm Heishi, 6mm Rococo rondelle bead, a 5mm Heishi and a 2mm Sterling Silver faceted round bead on each side.  Component (B) is one Bone rondelle bead with a 5mm Faceted spacer, a 3mm Faceted spacer and a 2mm Sterling Silver faceted bead on each side of the bone rondelle. Component (C) is the Plated Pewter Faceted bead (use either the square or the circle) surrounded by a Bone rondelle bead and a 3mm Heishi spacer on each side. Component (D) is a 2mm Sterling Silver faceted bead, (3) 3mm Heishi spacers, (2) Bone rondelle beads, (2) 4.5mm Heihsi spacers, (2) Bone rondelles, (2) 4.5mm Heishi spacers, (2) Bone rondelle beads, followed by (3) 3mm Heishi spacers and (1) Sterling Silver 2mm faceted bead.

THE MATCHING EARRINGS   See the instructions below to create the "U" shaped component for these earrings.   Make (2) for each earring of component B (above).  Attach one medium oval jump ring to the post earring.  Then attach another jump ring with both beaded components (B) to the jump ring attached to the post.  You'll want these two jump rings attached to allow the earring to hang correctly.  Using the (2) larger jump rings attach the small beaded circle links to a large beaded square link.  You'll need the large jump rings when attaching these links - the medium oval jump rings won't work as they are too small.    You can then attach the components (B) to the circle links with the medium oval jump rings. Then attach the "U" shaped beaded component to the circle links with the medium oval jump rings.   Once attached, if you find that the "U" shaped component is too wide and doesn't lay the way you want, you can hold the earring post with one hand and using your index finger, apply a little pressure (not too much) to elongate the "U" wire.  If you don't apply too much pressure, the wire will elongate but still keep its relative shape.

You'll want to cut (2 - 1 for each earring) 3" pieces of 20 gauge wire.  Use the inter core of the spool or some other rounded object to create the curve of the wire.  Don't worry if the curve seems too wide - we'll adjust it later.  Make a loop at one end of the "U" curved wire and slide the on the following beads. A 2mm Sterling Silver Faceted round bead, (3) 4.5mm Heishi spacers, (2) Bone rondelles, (2) 5mm Heishi spacers, (2) Bone rondelles, (2) 5mm Heishi spacer beads, (2) Bone rondelle beads, followed by (3) 4.5mm Heishi spacers and a 2mm Sterling Silver Faceted round.  Finish this component by making a loop at the other end.

 To create the design above you will need the following items

(this beading project assumes you already have pliers - if not, see our tools section)

5mm Plated Faceted Spacer Beads (1 package or more)

 

3mm Plated Faceted Spacer Beads (1 package or more)

 

Small Beaded Circle Links (4 or more)

 

Large Beaded Square Link (2)

 

5mm Daisy (heishi) Spacers (1 package)

 

4.5mm Daisy Spacers (2 packages)

 

Sterling Silver Eyepins - 24 gauge (1 package)

 

2mm Sterling silver faceted rounds (2 packages)

 

Silver plated medium oval jump rings (1 package)

 

7.5mm Silver plated large jump rings (1 package)

 

Sterling Silver Post Earring Backs (1 package)