Dainty briolette necklace and earrings

For a while, I was buying lots of these mini briolettes. A teardrop pendant is the perfect focal for this dainty citrine necklace, complementing the size, shape, and color of the briolettes. A splash of silver keeps the monochromatic palette interesting.

Read the project instructions for a necklace and earring set below, or download the free project PDF above.

Supplies

Necklace 17 in. (43 cm)

• 20–25 mm teardrop pendant
• 8-in. (20 cm) strand 5–6 mm gemstone or CZ briolettes
• 11 3–4 mm crystal pearls
• 2 g 11/0 seed beads
• 22 2–3 mm spacers
• 15–20 mm round link
• beading cord with attached needle, size 2
• 1 1⁄2-in. (3.8 cm) head pin
• 3 4–5 mm jump rings
• 2 bead tips, clamshell style
• lobster claw clasp
• 2 in. (5 cm) chain for extender, 5–6 mm links
• chainnose and roundnose pliers
• diagonal wire cutters
• G-S Hypo Cement

Earrings

• 2 6–7 mm crystal pearls
• 24 5–6 mm gemstone or CZ briolettes 0
• 6 2–3 mm spacers
• flexible beading wire, .010 or .012
• 2 1 1⁄2-in. (3.8 cm) head pins
• 2 5–6 mm soldered jump rings
• 4 microcrimp beads
• pair of earring wires
• chainnose and roundnose pliers
• diagonal wire cutters

Teardrop pendant, round link, and peridot briolettes from Eclectica, 262.641.0910.

Instructions – Necklace

1. On the beading cord, about 1 in. (2.5 cm) from the end without the needle, tie an overhand knot. Tie a second knot over the first for security. String: bead tip, spacer, pearl, spacer, 4–4 1⁄2 in. (10–11.4 cm) of 11/0 seed beads.

2. String a spacer, a pearl, a spacer, and six briolettes. Repeat three times.

3. Open a jump ring (Basics) and attach a pendant and a round link. Close the jump ring. Attach a second jump ring to the top of the link. String the dangle on the cord. String: six briolettes, spacer, pearl, spacer. Repeat three times, then string: 4–4 1⁄2 in. (10–11.4 cm) of 11/0s, spacer, pearl, spacer, bead tip.

4. On the working end, tie a loose overhand knot and insert a head pin to slide the knot inside the clamshell portion of the bead tip. Tie a second knot over the first. On each end, apply glue to the knot. Trim the excess cord and use chainnose pliers to close the clamshell over the knot.

5. On one end, use roundnose pliers to close the loop of the bead tip. Use a jump ring to attach the loop and a lobster claw clasp. On the other end, attach the bead tip and a 2-in. (5 cm) piece of chain.

6. On a head pin, string a spacer, a pearl, and a spacer. Make the first half of a wrapped loop. Attach the end of the chain and complete the wraps.

Instructions – Earrings

1. On a head pin, string a spacer and a pearl. Make a wrapped loop.

2. Cut a 4-in. (10 cm) piece of beading wire. On one end, string a microcrimp bead and the pearl unit. Go back through the crimp bead and tighten the wire. Flatten the crimp bead.

3. String: four briolettes, spacer, four briolettes, spacer, four briolettes, microcrimp bead, soldered jump ring. Go back through the crimp bead and tighten the wire. Flatten the crimp bead and trim the excess wire.

4. Open the loop of an earring wire. Attach the dangle and close the loop. Make a second earring.