All year long, the cactus waits for rain so it can release a flower bud, anticipating the moment it can burst to life. Much like when we wait for fall to save us from long days and sweltering blacktops, the soothing autumn air moves in and blesses the cactus with just a kiss of precipitation so its flower can bloom. The warm copper accents in this necklace are cooled by small drops of turquoise-jade pearls, a refreshing combination perfect for fall fashion.
Step one:
To make the kumihimo braid, read our Handy Tip on kumihimo braiding with beads. We used super-lon bead cord in a fall mix and TOHO 8/0 bead rounds in dark copper to make the braid. Follow Steps one and two on How to finish a kumihimo braid, using Nymo D thread. You can add a drop of BeadFix adhesive before cutting the excess bead cord to stiffen up the ends. Once the adhesive is dry, cut the excess bead cord close to the Nymo D end wrap. Do not add a crimp to the end yet.
Step two:
Thread one #12 short beading needle with approximately 12 inches of Nymo D thread. Choose one bead in the center of the kumihimo braid and pass it through the bead once, leaving a 2 ½ inch tail of thread. Then, thread the needle through the center of one Kabela Design antique copper-plated brass dianthus flower embellishment.
Step three:
Bring the thread down the side of the flower, then pass it through the bead and once more through the center of the flower. Don’t worry about the thread being visible in the center of the flower embellishment as this will be hidden under a flatback. Repeat this step several times to secure the flower. Be sure to use the initial 2 ½ inch tail of thread from Step two to tie knots as needed while securing the flower embellishment. End with a final knot and cut the excess thread.
Step four:
Perform Steps two and three for the remaining flowers, securing them on either side of the first flower.
Step five:
Glue one Swarovski SS34 XILION rose flatback in Crystal Copper to the center of each flower with 5-minute two-part epoxy and allow to dry.
Step six:
Cut one strand of jewelry wire approximately 9 inches long. Choose one TOHO bead at one end of the kumihimo braid, and loop the wire through it. Make sure to choose a bead that will be on the back side of the necklace design.
Step seven:
String one 4x4mm sterling silver crimp tube onto the open end of jewelry wire. Slide this crimp all the way down the jewelry wire and over the trimmed end of the kumihimo braid. Be sure to include the jewelry wire that loops through the TOHO bead from Step six in the crimp as well. Once the braid end and the jewelry wire are all in the crimp tube, flatten the crimp tube using chain nose pliers to hold it all in place.
Step eight:
String one 6mm antique copper-plated pewter leaves end cap onto the open end of the jewelry wire. Slide the end cap all the way down the wire until the cap rests over the end of the kumihimo braid and covers the crimped end.
Step nine:
String the following pattern onto the wire: one Swarovski 5mm round pearl in Jade, one TierraCast copper 4mm hex heishi spacer, three Swarovski 8mm round beads in Bordeaux and one more spacer. Repeat this four more times and then add one more Jade pearl and one more spacer.
Step ten:
Attach the wire end to the loop portion of the JBB antique brass flower and circles toggle clasp using one Tierracast antique copper 2x2mm crimp. Cover the crimp with one 4mm antique copper-plated crimp cover. Learn how to use a crimp tube and how to use a crimp cover by reading our Handy Tip in the Learning Center.
Step eleven:
Repeat Steps six through ten for the other side of the braid, replacing the loop portion of the clasp with the bar portion in Step ten.
Approximate size: 20 inches Estimated time: Less than 3 hours Difficulty level: Beginner
Tools and Supplies Used:
Nymo Size D Mix Tube - 10 Bobbins (NYM-MX-TB5)
The BeadSmith Super-Lon Bead Cord Fall Mix - 12 Spools, 77 yards ea. (SLON-MIX11)
ZambaPro® Chain Nose Pliers (TOOL-106)
ZambaPro® Bead Crimper Tool (TOOL-100)
Nipper Tool (TOOL-101)
Large Loop Scissors (TOOL-123)
Jewel Setter 2 pack (TOOL-170)
Knotting Tweezers (TOOL-112)
5-Minute Two-Part Epoxy, 28ml Dual Cartridges (EPOXY-5)
The BeadSmith #12 Short Beading Needles 12-Pack (NEED-11)
Kumihimo Round Braiding Foam Plate with Instructions (TOOL-616)
The BeadSmith 1 7/8-Inch No Tangle Thread Bobbin with 3/8-Inch Hole (SUP-0051)
BeadFix - super fast adhesive - 3 gram (TOOL-163)
