Retired - Mermaid Lagoon Necklace

Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.

1. Begin by cutting three strands of beading wire, 24 inches each.
2. Take one strand and place a bead stopper at one end. String on one 8mm bead and one 2mm bead. Alternate until you have added 48 8mm beads and 46 2mm beads. Set this strand aside. You can place another bead stopper on this end as well if you like.
3. Repeat the above step for the second strand, alternating 6mm beads and 2mm beads. Add a total of 63 6mm beads and 61 2mm beads.
4. Repeat the above step for the third strand, alternating 4mm beads and 2mm beads. Add a total of 83 4mm beads and 81 2mm beads.
5. Take the 8mm strand, remove the bead stopper from one end and string on one crimp tube. Then thread the strand up through one closed jump ring and back down through the crimp tube. Crimp the crimp tube. Add a crimp cover. If you can, thread the wire back down through a bead and trim the ends.
6. Repeat the above step with the other two strands, placing them onto the same jump ring.
7. Next you will do a traditional three strand braid with all three cords. It should be fairly loose, just enough to intertwine the strands. At this point you may need to add or subtract beads from the strands to get them even. Sometimes the braid can cause the beads to sit differently.
8. Keeping the braid stable, take one strand and remove the bead stopper, string on one crimp tube. Then thread the strand up through one closed jump ring and back down through the crimp tube. Crimp the crimp tube. Add a crimp cover. If you can, thread the wire back down through a bead and trim the ends.
9. Repeat the above step with the other two strands, placing them onto the same jump ring.
10. Open one 4mm jump ring and attach it to the closed jump ring and to one additional closed jump ring, creating a kind of chain extender. Close the jump ring. Repeat once more to add one more closed jump ring, so you have a total of three on this side.
11. Move to the beginning side of the necklace and open one 4mm jump ring and attach the lobster clasp to the closed jump ring.

• BCP-00173 - True2 Czech Fire Polished Glass, Faceted Round Beads 2mm, 50 Pieces, Aqua Vitrail
  Project uses 188 pieces. You will need 4 packages.


• BCP-14149 - Czech Fire Polished Glass, Faceted Round Beads 8mm, 20 Pieces, Crystal Copper Rainbow
  Project uses 48 pieces. You will need 3 packages.


• BCP-14141 - Czech Fire Polished Glass, Faceted Round Beads 6mm, 25 Pieces, Crystal Copper Rainbow
  Project uses 63 pieces. You will need 3 packages.


• BCP-14133 - Czech Fire Polished Glass, Faceted Round Beads 4mm, 40 Pieces, Crystal Copper Rainbow
  Project uses 83 pieces. You will need 3 packages.


• FCR-01030 - Sterling Silver Corrugated Crimp Bead Covers 3mm (10)
  Project uses 6 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FCR-01122 - Sterling Silver Crimp Beads 2 x 2mm (20)
  Project uses 6 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-04087 - Sterling Silver Closed Jump Rings Twisted 8mm 20 Gauge (10)
  Project uses 4 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-3044 - Sterling Silver Open Jump Rings 4mm 19 Gauge Heavy (x25)
  Project uses 3 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FCL-1165 - Lobster Clasp, Curved Claw Style 13mm, 1 Piece, Sterling Silver
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-1255 - BeadSmith Flex-Rite Beading Wire, 7 Strand .02 Thick, 30 Foot Spool, Clear
  Project uses 72 Inches. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-3000 - Bead Stopper- Stop Beads Sliding Off Stringing Material
• XTL-5608 - Xuron 4 In 1 Crimping Pliers - Works On 1, 2 And 3mm Crimps!
• XTL-5600 - Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - For Cutting Beading Wire, 1 Piece
• XTL-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose