Retired - The Uninvited Guests 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. To begin this project, please watch the video on How to Flat Even Count Peyote Stitch. Also, take a look at the beading pattern included in these project instructions, you will be using it to make the red and white checkered "picnic blanket".
2. Cut 6 feet of Fireline crystal beading thread and thread it onto a needle. Following what you learned in the video and looking at the pattern, bead weave your "picnic blanket" so that it is 20 columns wide and 32 rows long. You will be making squares which are 4 beads by 4 beads, alternating between Miyuki 10/0 delicas in opaque red and Miyuki 10/0 delicas in opaque white. Once you have finished your beading, tie off your thread and weave the tail into the beadwork.
3. Cut 2 pieces of chain, 8 inches long each.
4. Thread a needle with 24" of Fireline. Work the needle into your beadwork so that you exit one of the top corners. Take your needle and thread it through the end chain link on one of your cut pieces of chain. Pull this down so that the link rests on the top edge of your beadwork and then take your needle and push it down through the bead next to the one you exited. Pull. Now go back up through the original bead, through the chain link again, and down through the bead next to it. Pull snug. Work your needle and thread through your beadwork until you reach the other side of your "picnic blanket". Now attach the other cut length of chain to this side of the necklace using the same method.
5. Onto the other end of one of your chain lengths, open and attach a gunmetal plated 4mm jump ring to the last chain link and also the loop at the base of one half of your toggle clasp. Close the jump ring. Repeat this step on the other side of your necklace.
6. Time for ants and cookies!
7. To make the ant legs, first cut a 1" piece of black artistic wire. Fold in half and cross the two ends over each other to create a little loop in the middle. Pull the ends so that you are back to having an almost straight piece of wire except for that little loop in the middle. On one end, approximately 1/8" from the loop, grip with the wire with your chain nose pliers and "bend" the leg downwards. Repeat on the other side. Trim any excess wire so that you have even little legs. Make a total of 6 of these "leg" units.
8. To make the body of the ant, cut a 4 inch piece of black artistic wire. Fold in half and press the ends together so that it is as flat as possible. Place a small dab of E6000 glue on the folded crease area. Slide 1 Czech fire polished 5mm black bead over the two ends of wire and push it so that it goes as far over the folded crease as possible and into the glue. Let dry. Slide over the two wire ends 2 of the little leg units you made from above. Now slide on another 5mm Czech glass bead, another leg unit, and another bead. Slide all of these down to rest snugly against the original 5mm bead as possible. At this point, pull the two wire ends apart to create little antennas. Snip off any excess wire that reaches beyond the length of antenna you desire. Make a total of 2 of these ants.
9. Thread a needle onto 24" of Fireline. Wherever you want your ant placed on your bead woven blanket, work your needle into your beading and then sew your ant onto the topside by exiting through a bead, going over and around the body of the ant, and back down through a nearby bead. Repeat this step over and over until you feel your ant is secure and then use this same method to sew your second ant into place. Tie off your thread and work the tail into the beading.
10. To make the plate of cookies, mix up a small amount of white Crystal Clay. Roll it into a ball and then press into a disc shape about the size of a quarter. Use a needle or toothpick and make little hash marks around the outside of the plate. Set aside. To make the cookies themselves, mix up and roll out little balls of latte color Crystal Clay. Press them into small little flat discs and place them onto your plate, stack them like a plate of cookies. To make the chocolate chips, mix up dark brown Crystal Clay and pull off very tiny little amount and roll them into balls about the size of the head on a head pin. Drop these little balls onto your cookies and gently tap down with your finger (do not leave finger prints). Repeat for however many chocolate chips you want. Let dry overnight.
11. Place a dab of E6000 glue on the backside of the plate and then press into place on your bead woven table cloth between your ants. Let dry.
12. Enjoy!

• BCP-3590 - Czech Fire Polished Glass Beads 5mm Round Jet Black (50)
  Project uses 6 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• CHA-99986 - Matte Black Oxidized Plated Round Rolo Chain 3mm Bulk By The Foot
  Project uses 2 feet. You will need 2 packages.


• DBM-0200 - Miyuki Delica Seed Beads 10/0 Opaque Chalk White DBM0200 8 GR
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• DBM-0723 - Miyuki Delica Seed Beads 10/0 Opaque Red DBM0723 8 GR
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• FCL-7708 - TierraCast Black Finish Lead-Free Pewter 1/2 Inch Anna's Toggle Clasp (1)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-5294 - Gun Metal Plated Open Jump Rings 4mm 21 Gauge (100)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• TRC-234 - Crystal Clay 2-Part Epoxy Clay Kit 'Dark Brown' 25 Grams
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• TRC-239 - Crystal Clay 2-Part Epoxy Clay Kit 'Latte' 25 Grams
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• TRC-251 - Crystal Clay 2-Part Epoxy Clay Kit 'White' 25 Grams
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• WCR-2403 - Artistic Wire, Copper Craft Wire 24 Gauge Thick, 10 Yard Spool, Permanent Black Color
  Project uses 8 inches. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-1275 - FireLine Braided Beading Thread, 4lb Test and 0.005 Thick, 50 Yards, Crystal Clear
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XTL-1054 - E6000 Industrial Strength Glue Adhesive (0.18 fl oz)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-3004 - Beadsmith English Beading Needles Assortment So Handy
• XTL-5700 - Fiskars 5 Precision Tip Scissors - Super Sharp
• XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex
• XTL-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose