Retired - Tuscon 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, glue your turquoise howlite cabochon down onto your BeadSmith beading foundation near one corner using E6000, as shown in this video. Be sure to leave at least an inch of space around the cabochon for beading around it. Wait a few hours or overnight for the glue to dry.
2. Cut a length of Nymo thread and knot it a few times at one end. Thread a beading needle and sew up through the foundation near the cabochon.
3. Watch our video on how to backstitch in bead embroidery. Bead around the cabochon using the 11/0 orange seed beads.
4. Next, you're going to sew a peyote stitch bezel around the cabochon using the same 11/0 orange seed beads. Sew up through one bead in your base row and add a bead to your needle. Skip one bead in the base row and sew through the next bead over, so the new bead is lying on top of the bead you skipped. Pick up another new seed bead and sew through the second bead over in the base row again. The process is similar to that shown in our video on how to weave a basic beaded bezel. Continue this process, adding a second-row bead above every other base row bead, until you've encircled the whole cabochon. Then weave a third row of beads, adding a new bead between every bead in the second row. When you've surrounded the cabochon, sew back down through your beadwork and through the beading foundation.
5. Mark the four corners around your cabochon where you want your turquoise beads to go. Move to the first corner and sew down the first bead, close to your beaded bezel. Make several passes through the hole to make sure it is fastened securely to your beading foundation. Then use orange seed beads to backstitch a horseshoe-shaped row around the turquoise bead. Repeat this process with the other three turquoise beads.
6. Use the 8/0 burnt orange seed beads to backstitch one row around the cabochon between the four corners, as shown in the photo.
7. Then use the 11/0 burnt orange seed beads to backstitch one row around the whole perimeter, including the corners, as shown in the photo.
8. Now watch our video on how to trim beading foundation and attach backing. As shown in the video, use scissors to carefully cut out your embroidered focal. Then glue the piece onto your ultrasuede, pattern side down, using E6000. You can select the area of your ultrasuede piece where you like the pattern best. Let the glue dry overnight, and then cut out the focal using scissors.
9. You will now make the three ultrasuede pieces that will dangle from the focal. Cut out three shapes: two circles and one triangle.
10. Set the BeadSmith rotating leather hole punch tool to 2mm. About 1/4 inch from the edge of your first ultrasuede piece, punch a hole.
11. Slide one washer disc onto an eyelet and place it through the punched hole. Then watch our video on how to use the TierraCast eyelet setting wood block and fasten the eyelet as shown in the video. Repeat steps 10-11 for the other two ultrasuede cut-outs.
12. Open a 6mm jump ring with pliers and slide it through the eyelet of your first ultrasuede cut-out. Close the jump ring. Repeat this step for the other two cut-outs.
13. Return to your embroidered focal. Watch our video on how to bead embroider a basic beaded edge. Begin beading with silver seed beads on the bottom edge of the focal piece, where you will want to attach your first ultrasuede dangle, and work your way around.
14. When you reach the indentation after the first corner on top of the focal, exit an edging bead you already sewed with your needle, string one 5mm jump ring and sew down through the next edging bead, anchoring the jump ring between the two edging beads. Near the other top corner of the focal, repeat this process, anchoring a second 5mm jump ring between two other edging beads. Keep edging around the focal.
15. When you reach your starting point, exit one seed bead with your needle and pick up four more seed beads. Also thread your needle through the jump ring of your first circle ultrasuede dangle. Then sew back up through an edging bead two beads over.
16. Sew out from the next edging bead. Cut two 1 inch pieces of chain. Thread your needle through the top link of the first piece of chain, and then sew back up through the next edging bead, attaching the chain so it dangles down from the focal.
17. Sew out from the edging bead two beads over. Pick up four seed beads as well as the jump ring of your triangle ultrasuede dangle. Then sew back up through an edging bead two beads over.
18. Sew out from the edging bead two beads over. Thread your needle through the top link of the second piece of chain, and sew back up through the next edging bead.
19. Sew out from the next edging bead. Pick up four seed beads as well as the jump ring of your second circle ultrasuede dangle. Sew back up through an edging bead two beads over. Weave your thread in and out of the next few edging beads to secure it, then sew through the foundation, make a triple knot, and cut off the excess thread.
20. Cut your remaining chain into two 10 inch pieces. Use pliers to open one of the 5mm jump rings attached to the top of the focal, and slide on the end link of one piece of chain. Close the jump ring. Repeat this step for the other piece of chain, attaching it to the other jump ring.
21. Open a new 5mm jump ring and attach the other end of one piece of chain to the loop of the leaf toggle clasp. Open another jump ring and attach the other end of the other piece of chain to the loop of the toggle bar.
22. Close your clasp, and you're finished!

• SPCB-2144 - Chinese Turquoise Dyed Howlite Gemstone Oval Flat-Back Cabochons 40x30mm (1)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• JSK-0411 - Toho Seed Beads, Round 11/0 Semi Glazed, 8 Gram Tube, Orange
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• JSH-0410 - Toho Seed Beads, Round 8/0 Semi Glazed, 8 Gram Tube, Burnt Orange
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• JSK-0410 - Toho Seed Beads, Round 11/0 Semi Glazed, 8 Gram Tube, Burnt Orange
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• JSK-0343 - Toho Round Seed Beads 11/0 711 - Nickel (8 Grams)
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• SPJA-08008 - Impression Jasper Gemstone Beads, Round 6mm, 15 Inch Strand, Aqua Blue
  Project uses 4 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-4836 - Lillypilly Designs Patterned Ultrasuede, Zebra Print 4x8.5, 1 Piece, Clove
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-4298 - BeadSmith Beading Foundation - For Embroidery Work - Black 11x8.5 Inches
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-8932 - NYMO Nylon Beading Thread Size B for Delica Beads Black 72YD (66 Meters)
  Project uses 10 feet. 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.


• FJR-5253 - Antiqued Silver Plated Open Jump Rings 5mm 20 Gauge (50)
  Project uses 4 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• CHA-9967 - Antiqued Silver Plated Round Rolo Chain 3mm Bulk By The Foot
  Project uses 22 inches. You will need 2 packages.


• FCO-4797 - TierraCast Antiqued Pewter Color Brass Hollow Eyelets 3.7mm Diameter - Pack of 10
  Project uses 3 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• PND-12005 - TierraCast Antiqued Pewter Micro Washer For Jewelry 6mm - Pack Of 10
  Project uses 3 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-5162 -
  Project uses 3 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FCL-7420 - Antiqued Silver Plated Toggle Clasp Ivy Leaf 26mm (1 Set)
  Project uses 1 set. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-3027 - Crafter's Collection Beading Needle Assortment - Sizes 10, 11 & 12 - 10 Pack
• XTL-5700 - Fiskars 5 Precision Tip Scissors - Super Sharp
• XTL-5502 - BeadSmith Rotating Leather Hole Punch Tool - Creates 6 Hole Sizes!
• XTL-0293 - TierraCast Eyelet Setting Kit, Rectangle Maple Wood Block 3.75x5.5 Inches & Eyelet Setting Tool, 1 Kit
• XTL-2152 - Beadsmith Jeweler's Chasing Hammer - 1 Inch Head - Metal Smithing
• XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex
• XTL-0020 - Baby Wubbers Quality Fine Chain Nose Jeweller's Pliers
• XTL-5514 - Beadsmith Jewelry Fine Round Nose Micro Pliers