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Garnet Skies chain necklace tutorial - part one

Garnet Skies
Cyndi Lavin, 2018

I was contacted by the good people at Solid Oak Inc to find out if I would like to have a look at their products.  They have multiple lines of jewelry making charms, kits, fibers, and metal components at very reasonable prices.  We decided that Solid Oak would sponsor a tutorial here on Beading Arts using their Estrella line of sparkly components.  I was psyched! 

I've been looking at the colors and styles for Fall into Winter this year, and the multi-strand boho inspired look still seems to be going pretty strong, but with a slightly more sophisticated polish.  Jewelry makers can easily create that look using the Estrella line.  With the products listed below, I made the set shown above.

These pieces can easily be altered to suit yourself by choosing the different colors of Estrella crystal chain and the different charms.  However, if you are a beginner jewelry maker and would like to follow along, I've listed all the numbers (exact lengths, etc) for you in the tutorial below.  So welcome to part one of Garnet Skies.

[Note: This post is sponsored by Solid Oak, from whom I have received the products in order to create this project for you.  These are not affiliate links.] 


Materials:
Estrella Linked Crystals Chain - small, ruby/silver
Estrella Linked Crystals Chain - small, rose/silver
Estrella Linked Crystals Chain - medium, amethyst/silver
Estrella Linked Crystals Chain - medium, ruby/silver
Estrella Jewelry Chain - small, elongated oval links, silver color
Estrella Jewelry Chain - medium, elongated oval links, silver color
Estrella Jewelry Findings - silver color
Estrella Charm with CZ - Curved Bar - Crystal / Silver
Estrella Charm with CZ - Linked Stars - Crystal / Silver

Tools and extras:
Earring wires of your choice
Chain nose or flat nose pliers, preferably two pair
Wire cutters
Measuring tape
Small file
Alligator clips



1. Cut 2 lengths of the small-link silver colored chain, each 2 3/4 inches.  Connect the chains to the curved CZ bar with small oval jump rings.  Also add jump rings to the ends of the chains.  Close each of them.  For beginners, use two pair of pliers and make sure you twist the links side to side when opening and closing.  Never, never pull them apart and distort the oval or circle.  They will never close up properly if you do that.


2. Cut 2 lengths of the medium-sized ruby crystal chain, each 4 1/2 inches.  Connect the chains to the linked CZ stars with small oval jump rings.  You do not need to add jump rings to the other ends of the chain this time.


3. If you have a necklace clamp like this, use it, but if not, don't worry...you can just lay out your chains on a towel and use alligator clips to keep it together while you work.  This gizmo (my husband made it for me!) helps in making sure that multi-layered chains sit properly, but again, don't worry...I've done the measurements for you!
Using a large round jump ring at each end, layer on (in order, top to bottom) the following:
6 inch length of the small-sized ruby crystal chain
The previously prepared CZ bar chain
9 inch length of the small-sized rose crystal chain
10 inch length of the medium-link silver colored chain
The previously prepared CZ linked stars chain
12 inch length of the medium-sized amethyst crystal chain

4. Cut a 17 inch or longer length of the medium-link silver colored chain.  Slip one end into each jump ring and close them carefully.  This chain will be cut later and become your neck chain, but just leave it one piece for now.

Part two of this tutorial will post next Monday.  Get ready to finish up the necklace and to make a pair of earrings from the leftover links!

Copyright 2018 Cyndi Lavin. All rights reserved. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

Comments

Robbie said…
How cool!!! And if you get bored you could always change these up again in a year!! Thanks for the share!
Cyndi L said…
Sure could! Lots of possibilities with themed charms and chains :-)