Earring pendant necklace

Showcase an antique piece of jewelry on a strand of freshwater pearls

Showcase an antique or vintage earring on a strand of freshwater pearls. Whether the earring has been passed down through generations or was a lucky find at an estate sale, it will add a touch of glamour to a tried-and-true classic. If your earring is part of a pair, make a second necklace; this project can be completed in 15 minutes or less.

See the instructions below, or download the free project PDF above.

Supply List

antique or vintage earring
16-in. (41cm) strand 4–5mm pearls
2 5mm flat spacers
4 4mm round spacers
flexible beading wire, .014 or .015
3–4mm jump ring (optional)
2 crimp beads
spring-ring or lobster claw clasp and 9–13mm connector
chainnose and roundnose pliers
diagonal wire cutters
crimping pliers (optional)

Tip!

Design guidelines

Earring posts and clip-on hinges can prevent the earring from lying flat. Trim excess metal from the back of the earring with heavy-duty wire cutters, and file any rough edges.
Not all earrings will require the use of a jump ring. If an earring has a perpendicular loop at the top, you can omit the jump ring.
If genuine antiques are not available, consider antique-inspired earrings (available at 1928 Jewelry, 800-729-0042, 1928.com).

Instructions

Step 1

Step 2

1. Determine the finished length of your necklace. (My necklaces are 17 1⁄2 in./44.5cm.) Add 6 in. (15cm) and cut a piece of beading wire to that length. Open a jump ring and attach the earring. Close the jump ring and center the earring on the wire.

Step 3

2. On each end, string pearls until the necklace is within 1 1⁄2 in. (3.8cm) of the desired length.

3. On one end, string: flat spacer, round spacer, crimp bead, round spacer, one loop of the connector. Go back through the beads just strung and tighten the wire. Repeat on the other end, substituting a clasp for the connector. Check the fit, and add or remove pearls from each end if necessary. Crimp the crimp beads and trim the excess wire.

FIND MORE: pearl , necklaces , finishing , found object

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Earring pendant necklace

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