This vibrant Southwest look is sure to stand out in your style!
By using a mix of beads and charms and multiple strands, you can create an amazing necklace full of Southwest Flair. This necklace features fun beaded dangles and dangling Thunderbird charms. The Thunderbirds are part of TierraCast's Western Winds collection. You can see more jewelry made with the Western Winds collection in this Artbeads Cafe episode.
Add an oval bead to a TierraCast copper 2-inch 21 gauge head pin and make a simple loop at the top of the bead. We don't carry the oval beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (14x10mm oval bead in Crystal Red Magma) to the supplies list. Repeat four times for a total of five dangles.
Add a nugget bead to a head pin and make a simple loop at the top of the bead. We don't carry the nugget beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (Dakota Stones peach moonstone large top drill nugget beads) to the supplies list. Repeat five times for a total of six dangles.
Cut a length of 24 gauge Copper Artbeads Designer Wire approximately three inches long. Center a TierraCast antique copper-plated pewter Western bead on the wire. Fold the wire down around the bead and attach a TierraCast antique copper-plated pewter Thunderbird charm to both ends of the wire by making a wrapped loop. Repeat three times for a total of four beads.
Cut a length of jewelry wire 3 ½-4 inches longer than the desired length for the longest strand of your necklace. Add a Thunderbird bead to the center of the wire.
Add the following pattern to one side of the bead:
One white roundel. We don't carry the roundel used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (3.8x1mm Czech glass chalk white O beads) to the supplies list.
Three red beads. We don't carry the beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (Miyuki 8/0 transparent silver lined orange red Delicas) to the supplies list.
Six turquoise beads. We don't carry the beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (Miyuki 8/0 inside color lined crystal/aqua Delicas) to the supplies list.
One nugget dangle
Eight turquoise beads
One oval bead dangle
Nine turquoise beads
Three red beads
One white roundel
One Thunderbird bead
One white roundel
Three red beads
Eight turquoise beads
One nugget dangle
10 turquoise beads
One oval bead dangle
Make a mirror image of this pattern on the other side of the center bead. Finish both ends with turquoise beads until it is the desired length.
Add a TierraCast antique copper 2x2mm crimp to one end of the wire, followed by a TierraCast 8mm copper-plated brass open round jump ring. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube and crimp in place. Repeat on the other end of the wire.
Cut a length of jewelry wire a little bit shorter than your first strand, again making sure to add 3 1/2 -4 inches for crimping. Add an oval bead dangle to the center of the wire.
Add the following pattern to one side of the center dangle:
9-10 turquoise beads
Three red beads
One white roundel
One plain Western bead
One white roundel
Three red beads
12 turquoise beads
Three red beads
One white roundel
One plain Western bead
One white roundel
Three red beads
Make a mirror image of this bead pattern on the other side of the center dangle. Finish both ends with turquoise beads until it is the desired length.
Slide a crimp tube onto the end of the wire and then go through the jump ring at one end of your necklace. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube and crimp in place. Repeat for the other end of the wire.
Cut a length of jewelry wire a little bit shorter than the previous strand, again making sure to add 3 1/2 -4 inches for crimping. Add a Thunderbird bead to the center of the wire.
Add the following pattern to one side of the center bead:
One white roundel
Three red beads
Four-five turquoise beads
One nugget dangle
Four-five turquoise beads
Three red beads
One white roundel
One plain Western bead
One white roundel
Three red beads
Make a mirror image of this bead pattern on the other side of the center dangle. Finish both ends with turquoise beads until it is the desired length.
Slide a crimp tube onto the end of the wire and then go through the jump ring at one end of your necklace. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube and crimp in place. Repeat for the other end of the wire.
Open the jump ring at one end of your necklace and add the TierraCast 15x9mm antique copper-plated brass lobster clasp. Close the jump ring.
List of Components Miyuki 8g 8/0 Inside Color Lined Crystal/Aqua Delicas (DBL0904, qty 1) Miyuki 8g 8/0 Transaprent Silver Lined Orange Red Delicas (DBL0043, qty 1) 3.8x1mm Czech Glass Chalk White O Beads (8-gram pack) (BEADS-0677, qty 1) 5050 14x10mm Oval Bead Crystal Red Magma (5050-RMM14, qty 5) Dakota Stones Peach Moonstone Large Top Drill Nugget Bead Strand (R1291, qty 1) TierraCast Antique Copper-Plated Pewter Western Bead (CA5831, qty 10) TierraCast Antique Copper-Plated Pewter Thunderbird Charm (CA2531, qty 4) TierraCast Copper 2-inch 21 Gauge Head Pin (C-0028, qty 11) TierraCast Antique Copper 2x2mm Crimp (C-0030, qty 6) TierraCast 8mm Copper-Plated Brass Open Round Jump Ring (CA-0026, qty 2) TierraCast 15 x 9mm Antique Copper-Plated Brass Lobster Clasp (CA-0111, qty 1) Artbeads Designer Wire - Copper Non-Tarnish 24 Gauge (60 ft. spool) (ADW0039, qty 1)
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Thunderbird Ridge Necklace Tutorial
Multi-Strand Southwest Necklace with TierraCast Western Winds Collection
designed byTierraCast
Skill LevelBeginner
TechniqueSimple Stringing
Time1-3 Hours
This vibrant Southwest look is sure to stand out in your style!
By using a mix of beads and charms and multiple strands, you can create an amazing necklace full of Southwest Flair. This necklace features fun beaded dangles and dangling Thunderbird charms. The Thunderbirds are part of TierraCast's Western Winds collection. You can see more jewelry made with the Western Winds collection in this Artbeads Cafe episode.
Add an oval bead to a TierraCast copper 2-inch 21 gauge head pin and make a simple loop at the top of the bead. We don't carry the oval beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (14x10mm oval bead in Crystal Red Magma) to the supplies list. Repeat four times for a total of five dangles.
Add a nugget bead to a head pin and make a simple loop at the top of the bead. We don't carry the nugget beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (Dakota Stones peach moonstone large top drill nugget beads) to the supplies list. Repeat five times for a total of six dangles.
Cut a length of 24 gauge Copper Artbeads Designer Wire approximately three inches long. Center a TierraCast antique copper-plated pewter Western bead on the wire. Fold the wire down around the bead and attach a TierraCast antique copper-plated pewter Thunderbird charm to both ends of the wire by making a wrapped loop. Repeat three times for a total of four beads.
Cut a length of jewelry wire 3 ½-4 inches longer than the desired length for the longest strand of your necklace. Add a Thunderbird bead to the center of the wire.
Add the following pattern to one side of the bead:
One white roundel. We don't carry the roundel used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (3.8x1mm Czech glass chalk white O beads) to the supplies list.
Three red beads. We don't carry the beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (Miyuki 8/0 transparent silver lined orange red Delicas) to the supplies list.
Six turquoise beads. We don't carry the beads used in TierraCast's example, but we've added a similar alternative (Miyuki 8/0 inside color lined crystal/aqua Delicas) to the supplies list.
One nugget dangle
Eight turquoise beads
One oval bead dangle
Nine turquoise beads
Three red beads
One white roundel
One Thunderbird bead
One white roundel
Three red beads
Eight turquoise beads
One nugget dangle
10 turquoise beads
One oval bead dangle
Make a mirror image of this pattern on the other side of the center bead. Finish both ends with turquoise beads until it is the desired length.
Add a TierraCast antique copper 2x2mm crimp to one end of the wire, followed by a TierraCast 8mm copper-plated brass open round jump ring. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube and crimp in place. Repeat on the other end of the wire.
Cut a length of jewelry wire a little bit shorter than your first strand, again making sure to add 3 1/2 -4 inches for crimping. Add an oval bead dangle to the center of the wire.
Add the following pattern to one side of the center dangle:
9-10 turquoise beads
Three red beads
One white roundel
One plain Western bead
One white roundel
Three red beads
12 turquoise beads
Three red beads
One white roundel
One plain Western bead
One white roundel
Three red beads
Make a mirror image of this bead pattern on the other side of the center dangle. Finish both ends with turquoise beads until it is the desired length.
Slide a crimp tube onto the end of the wire and then go through the jump ring at one end of your necklace. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube and crimp in place. Repeat for the other end of the wire.
Cut a length of jewelry wire a little bit shorter than the previous strand, again making sure to add 3 1/2 -4 inches for crimping. Add a Thunderbird bead to the center of the wire.
Add the following pattern to one side of the center bead:
One white roundel
Three red beads
Four-five turquoise beads
One nugget dangle
Four-five turquoise beads
Three red beads
One white roundel
One plain Western bead
One white roundel
Three red beads
Make a mirror image of this bead pattern on the other side of the center dangle. Finish both ends with turquoise beads until it is the desired length.
Slide a crimp tube onto the end of the wire and then go through the jump ring at one end of your necklace. Bring the wire back through the crimp tube and crimp in place. Repeat for the other end of the wire.
Open the jump ring at one end of your necklace and add the TierraCast 15x9mm antique copper-plated brass lobster clasp. Close the jump ring.
List of Components Miyuki 8g 8/0 Inside Color Lined Crystal/Aqua Delicas (DBL0904, qty 1) Miyuki 8g 8/0 Transaprent Silver Lined Orange Red Delicas (DBL0043, qty 1) 3.8x1mm Czech Glass Chalk White O Beads (8-gram pack) (BEADS-0677, qty 1) 5050 14x10mm Oval Bead Crystal Red Magma (5050-RMM14, qty 5) Dakota Stones Peach Moonstone Large Top Drill Nugget Bead Strand (R1291, qty 1) TierraCast Antique Copper-Plated Pewter Western Bead (CA5831, qty 10) TierraCast Antique Copper-Plated Pewter Thunderbird Charm (CA2531, qty 4) TierraCast Copper 2-inch 21 Gauge Head Pin (C-0028, qty 11) TierraCast Antique Copper 2x2mm Crimp (C-0030, qty 6) TierraCast 8mm Copper-Plated Brass Open Round Jump Ring (CA-0026, qty 2) TierraCast 15 x 9mm Antique Copper-Plated Brass Lobster Clasp (CA-0111, qty 1) Artbeads Designer Wire - Copper Non-Tarnish 24 Gauge (60 ft. spool) (ADW0039, qty 1)