February Tutorial – Mixed Media Retro-style Necklace

This month's tutorial departs a little from what I regularly post how-tos about. This necklace is not period correct, but it definitely has a vintage influence, and what is even better is it uses up vintage components which otherwise might go to waste. So it falls under the Repurposing category.

It is so simple anyone without beading or jewelry making experience can make their own with what's on hand, freeform style. It's feminine and helps to brighten up the dragging days of winter.

So here's how to make it.

You will need:

1/8 in. ribbon

needle and thread (I use quilting thread for extra durability)

vintage lace components or flowers (6 are shown)

small beads that coordinate with your beaded chain, 1 less than the amount of flowers (5 are shown)

18 in. beaded link chain

decorative toggle clasp that matches the metal of your beaded chain

needlenosed pliers

Supplies not shown are scissors and small barrel curling iron.

A few more words about supplies before we continue.

These flowers I'm using are cut from an antique crocheted doily that was in bad shape. There are many other types of lace you can incorporate for your own mixed media necklace.

They are sun-faded from a bright yellow to a soft pale yellow almost ivory. I had them in a drawer for a long time and wanted to put them to good use. I love them so much I have to post another picture.

The beaded chain I took off a too long necklace I bought at Cato, simply by opening a metal loop on each end of the strand. A vintage necklace could be used instead, or you can make your own beaded link chain with some wire, pliers and wire cutters, beads, and patience.

Now on to the instructions.

Making the Necklace

1. With needle and thread, sew the flowers or lace components together, using a small bead between each one.

Your needle will need to have a small eye. You should be able to pass back and forth from flower to flower, going through the bead, at least twice. Knot each end for security.

You'll have to sew on the tips/underneath edge of the flowers to hide your stitches.

Continue until all the small beads and flowers are strung together. I had 6 flowers and 5 beads.

2. With needle and thread, sew the large end of the toggle onto one end of the flower length.

3. For the other end, open a loop on one end of the beaded chain…

…and insert it in the other end of the flower strand.

Pinch shut. It's starting to look like a necklace.

4. Now it's time to make the rest of the necklace closure. About 3 in. from the free end of the beaded chain, open a loop…

…and in this loop you want to place the other end of the toggle clasp. Pinch shut.

Just below the toggle, take the free end of the 3 in. piece you skipped, open it with the pliers, and loop it up to join the toggle. Pinch shut.

So now you have a necklace with a closure and a dangling loop.

One word about the closure: take care that the beads you put the small toggle clasp beside are small ones so you can insert it through the large toggle clasp to close.