Northern Lights Necklace Tutorial

Beaded Kumihimo Necklace with Rizo Beads

Skill LevelIntermediate

TechniqueKumihimo

Time4-6 Hours

Approximate Size24 Inches

Here's a quick tip. When you're making a kumihimo necklace, you don't have to weave all the way to the clasp. Make the design go faster by adding a little chain. author signature

Colors of the Aurora Borealis create a magical display in this kumihimo necklace. Cynthia incorporated Rizo beads into her kumihimo braid, which bring the shimmering colors often found in Northern skies. See more ideas for incorporating kumihimo into your jewelry in this Artbeads Cafe episode.

Step-by-Step Instructions Expand All Steps

Set up your kumihimo project with eight strands of The BeadSmith S-Lon bead cord in blue.

Kumihimo Setup Text Tutorial
Kumihimo Setup Video Tutorial

String 40 Rizo 2.5x6mm Czech glass beads in magic blue onto each strand.

Braid about 1/2 inch of braid with no beads. Braid with beads until your cord is about 8 1/2 inches long. Finish the braid with a 1/2-inch section of braid with no beads.

Kumihimo with Beads Text Tutorial
Kumihimo with Beads Video Tutorial

Use a 2-inch 22 gauge sterling silver eye pin to add a TierraCast 6mm rhodium-plated brass capitol cord end cap to the end of the cord. Once the end cap is in place, slide a 4mm bicone in Crystal Iridescent Green 2x onto the eye pin. Make a wrapped loop at the top of the bead. Repeat on the other end of the cord.

Ending Kumihimo Video Tutorial

Cut a length of 7.9x7.5mm silver-plated smooth flat cable chain approximately 6 1/4-inches long. Attach it to one end of the necklace using a sterling silver 6.10mm open jump ring. Repeat on the other side of the necklace.

Attach the 19x10mm silver-plated trigger clasp to one end of the necklace using a jump ring.

List of Components:
Rizo 2.5x6mm Czech Glass Bead 10g Bag - Magic Blue (RIZO0007, qty 3)
4mm Bicone Crystal Iridescent Green 2X (5328-CIG2X4, qty 2)
TierraCast 6mm Rhodium-Plated Brass Capitol Cord End Cap (RB-0230, qty 2)
7.9x7.5mm Silver-Plated Smooth Flat Cable Chain By the Foot (BTF-0670, qty 2)
19x10mm Silver-Plated Trigger Clasp (CLASP-0190, qty 1)
2-inch Eye Pin, 22 Gauge (Sterling Silver) (SS-EP22, qty 2)
Sterling Silver Open Jump Ring - 0.040 x .240 inches (1.00 x 6.10mm) (SS-OJR40-E, qty 3)

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Add all available items to your cart at once or edit the quantities below. Any items with quantities lower than stated minimums will default to the minimum in your cart.

Nice choice! All or most of the products needed for this project are shown below with quantities. Sometimes we sell out of components and aren’t able to order more from the manufacturer (we know, it is very disappointing to us, too). Use the opportunity to mix up the design and make it yours by substituting similar products or altering the entire color scheme—it’s up to you!

2-inch Eye Pin, 22 Gauge (Sterling Silver) - Min Qty 2

Code SS-EP22

$0.61

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The BeadSmith Kumi Weight Lite with Hook

Code SUP-0240

$10.19

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KO Nylon Japanese Beading Thread, Black (55-Yard Spool)

Code STRNG-0116

$5.19

Qty:

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Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control .14oz

Code SUP-0542

$8.69

Qty:

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Sterling Silver Open Jump Ring - 0.040 x .240 inches (1.00 x 6.10mm) - Min Qty 2

Code SS-OJR40-E

$0.59

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The Beadsmith Kumihimo Round Braiding Foam Disk with Instructions

Code TOOL-616

$4.64

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The BeadSmith S-Lon (Super-Lon) Bead Cord Blue 77-Yard Spool

Code SLON0002

$5.49

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The BeadSmith 1 7/8-Inch No Tangle Thread Bobbin with 3/8-Inch Hole - Min Qty 2

Code SUP-0051

$0.50

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19x10mm Silver-Plated Trigger Clasp

Code CLASP-0190

$1.89

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7.9x7.5mm Silver-Plated Smooth Flat Cable Chain by the Foot

Code BTF-0670

$4.47

Qty:

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