Retired - The Empress 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 connecting the three antiqued silver plated filigree stampings. To do this, lay out your stampings so that the half circle with eleven loops is in the center with the two paisley stampings on either side of it. At the widest part of the paisley stampings there is a swirl. These should be facing away from the half circle stamping.
2. Open four oval jump rings and use them to connect the two loops at the top of either side of the half circle stamping to the widest part of the the paisley stampings, opposite the swirls (see photos for details). Close all four jump rings.
3. Cut six strands of Soft Touch beading wire; two strands at two inches long, two strands at three inches long, and two strands at four inches long. Secure one end of each strand with a Bead Stopper (XTL-3001).
4. Onto the two shortest strands, thread the following: three 13/0 purple iris charlotte seed beads, a 2mm howlite round bead, a 3mm hematite Czech fire polish bead, a 2mm howlite round bead, and three 13/0 purple iris charlotte seed beads.
5. Remove the bead stopper and thread (but do not crimp yet) a crimp bead on either end of both strands. Thread one end of one of the strands through the third loop down from the top of the right side of the half circle stamping. Thread the strand back through the crimp bead, pull snugly and crimp the bead. Thread the other end of the strand through the nearest opening in the paisley filigree stamping, back through the crimp bead, pull snug and crimp.
6. You are going to repeat this process of connecting the remaining four strands between the filigree stampings. The two medium length strands will be strung with the following:
7. seven 13/0 purple iris charlotte seed beads
8. a 2mm howlite round bead
9. a 3mm hematite Czech fire polish bead
10. a 4mm antiqued silver plated round bead
11. a 3mm hematite Czech fire polish bead
12. a 2mm howlite round bead
13. seven 13/0 purple iris charlotte seed beads
Onto the two remaining strands, the longest of the six, thread the following:
14. one inch of 13/0 purple iris charlotte seed beads
15. a 2mm howlite round bead
16. a 3mm hematite Czech fire polish bead
17. a 4mm antiqued silver plated round bead
18. a 3mm hematite Czech fire polish bead
19. a 2mm howlite round bead
20. three quarters of an inch more of 13/0 purple iris charlotte seed beads
Connect the longest strands to the filigree with the wider sections of seed beads on the inside, as pictured.
21. Once you have the draping strands in the center of the necklace completed and connected to the filigree, it is time to move on to stringing the back of the necklace. Cut two pieces of Soft Touch beading wire at eight inches long each. Secure one end of each with a bead stopper and string the following:
22. four-one inch segments of 13/0 purple iris charlotte seed beads with a section between each segment which contains a 2mm howlite round bead
23. a 3mm hematite Czech fire polish bead
24. a 4mm antiqued silver plated round bead
25. a 3mm hematite Czech fire polish bead
26. a 2mm howlite round bead
At each end of both strands thread an additional howlite bead
27. hematite fire polish bead
28. and silver plated round bead
.
29. Remove the bead stoppers and thread a crimp bead onto each end of both strands. Thread each end through a 4mm closed jump ring, back through the crimp bead, pull the strand snug, and crimp the bead. Trim off excess wire.
30. Open four of the smaller oval jump rings and use them to attach both finished strands to the loops at the top on either side of the filigree centerpiece. Use the remaining two jump rings to connect the toggle clasp to the ends of the strands. Close all jump rings once more.
31. Onto eight headpins, thread the following: a 3mm hematite fire polish bead, a 2mm howlite bead, and a single 13/0 seed bead. Create a simple wire loop on the top of each headpin and trim off excess wire.
32. Open each of the loops at the top of these headpins and thread them through various spots in the filigree centerpiece, as shown in the photos. Close the loops after you have done this.
33. Finally, onto one more headpin, thread a turquoise matrix jasper drop bead. Create simple wire loop on this headpin and trim off excess wire.
34. Open the loop at the top of the headpin and thread it through the central loop on the middle filigree stamping. Close the loop once more.

• FCL-7039 - TierraCast Silver Plated Pewter Bali Detail Toggle Clasp 16.5mm
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• SPJA-185 -
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• BCS-2250 - Czech Charlotte Seed Beads 13/0 Purple Iris 1/2 Hank
  Project uses 19 inches. You will need 1 package.


• BCP-3385 - Czech Fire Polished Glass Beads 3mm Round Hematite (50)
  Project uses 34 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• SPHO-12 -
  Project uses 36 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• BMB-5173 - Antiqued Silver Plated Diamond Cut Out 4mm Round Beads (100)
  Project uses 14 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-4004 - Silver Plated Closed Jump Rings 4mm 21 Gauge (50)
  Project uses 4 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-5401 - TierraCast Rhodium Plated Brass Oval Jump Rings 4mm 20 Gauge (50)
  Project uses 4 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-5405 - TierraCast Rhodium Plated Brass Open Oval Jump Rings 6mm 20 Gauge (50)
  Project uses 4 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-5411 - Soft Flex, Soft Touch 7 Strand Very Fine Beading Wire .010 Inch Thick, 100 Feet, Satin Silver
  Project uses 2 feet. You will need 1 package.


• FCR-1210 - Beadalon Silver Plated Crimp Beads 1.3mm (95 Beads)
  Project uses 20 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FHP-5315 - Silver Plated Head Pins 1.5 Inches Long 22 Gauge Thick (50 Pieces)
  Project uses 9 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• PND-5745 - Antiqued Silver Plated Stamping Filigree Paisley Pendant Right 57mm (1)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• PND-5736 - Antiqued Silver Plated Stamping Filigree Paisley Pendant Left 57mm (1)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• PND-5722 - Antiqued Silver Plated Half Circle Looped Filigree Stamping 30x50mm (1)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.