Enamel buttons adorn an easy-to-make, two-strand crystal-and-pearl necklace.

by Gita Maria Sturm

stepbystep[1] Determine the finished length of your necklace. Mine is 151⁄2 in. (39.4cm). Add 8 in. (20cm), and cut two pieces of beading wire to that length. [2] Center a crimp bead over both wires, and crimp it (Basics and photo a). String

the large button over both wires (photo b).[3] Separate the wires, and string a 6mm crystal, a 5mm crystal, a button pearl, a 4mm crystal, and a 5mm on each. Over both wires, string a 6mm (photo c).[4] String a crimp bead over both wires, pull the wires snug, and crimp the crimp

Buttons in BloomMATERIALSnecklace 151⁄2 in. (39.4cm)• 13⁄8-in. (3.5cm) floral button• 5 1-in. (2.5cm) floral buttons• bicone crystals 25 6mm, light rose AB 26 5mm, topaz AB 62 4mm, light amethyst AB• pearls 2 8mm 2-hole, parallel- drilled 26 4 x 6mm button• 1g size 110 seed beads• 9 crimp beads• flexible beading wire, .018• chainnose or crimping pliers• wire cutters

[ b ][ a ]

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bead. String a small button (photo d).[5] String a 6mm over both wires. Separate the wires, then string a 4mm, a button pearl, a 5mm, and a 4mm on each. String a 6mm over both (photo e).[6] Repeat steps 4 and 5.[7] Separate the wires, and string a 4mm, a 5mm, a 4mm, a button pearl, a 4mm, a 6mm, a 4mm, a button pearl, and a 4mm on each. Over both, string a 5mm (photo f).[8] Separate the wires, and string a 4mm, a button pearl, a 4mm, a 6mm, a 4mm, a button pearl, a 4mm, a 5mm, and a 4mm on each (photo g).

[9] Repeat steps 3–8 on the other end. Test for fit. The necklace should be about 2 in. (5cm) short of the desired length. If it’s not, add or remove beads as necessary.[10] String each wire on one end through a two-hole pearl. Then string an 110 seed bead on each (photo h).[11] String two crimp beads over both wires, then string nine or ten 110s on each. String a small button over the 110s (photo i). Take the wires back through the crimp beads (photo j). Crimp, and trim the excess wire.[12] Repeat step 10 on the other end, then string two

crimp beads over both wires. Separate the wires, and, on one wire, string enough 110s to fit comfortably around the button. Go through these beads in the other direction with the other wire (photo k). Go through the crimp beads with both wires. Crimp the crimp beads, and trim the excess wire. w

[ e ][ d ][ c ]

[ h ][ g ][ f ]

[ k ][ j ][ i ]

EDITOR’S NOTE:This necklace should fit snugly on the neck, or the weight of the buttons will make it flop forward. Be sure to measure accurately.