Bold, elegant beaded necklace easy to make

Sonya Butts was just looking for a simple craft she could learn and then teach to her 6-year-old daughter, Mikael Young, when she took a two-hour beaded jewelry-making class at a JoAnn Fabric and Craft store. But things didn't quite go as planned that day back in 2008. After taking the class and teaching her daughter basic beading techniques, Butts found herself hooked on making jewelry and wanting to learn more.

"I took more advanced classes to make more detailed earrings, like chandeliers," recalls Butts. "I then took another class with the same lady who told me I'd mastered earring-making, so then I started getting books on making jewelry."

One thing led to another, and that same year she started a home-based jewelry-making business called Sunshine Jewelry Designs. Never without pieces of her work at hand, Butts says she sells her jewelry on the go. "I always take my jewelry with me to sell. I've even had people buy it right off my arm," she says.

Butts also hosts shows in her Detroit home where jewelry lovers are invited to select from her unique collection, which she describes as "conservative with a twist and a little bling." Her prices start at $5 for a "pair of simple earrings" and go up to $50 for an intricate earring, bracelet and necklace set.

Her plans for creating new designs include learning different techniques. She says, "I sometimes go into Macy's and Nordstorm and look at the latest jewelry and techniques used to see if I can go home and make it. There's always room for making it more elegant."

Here, Butts shares instructions for creating one of her bold elegant designs in black.

Level: beginner

Estimated time: 1 hour

Tools: flat nose-pliers, wire cutter

Supplies: toggle clasp, 49-strand wire, 5 ice pick bails, 5 black onyx shells, 36 round diamond-cut black onyx beads (size 14mm), 2 size 1 crimp beads

Instructions

1. Clamp one bail onto each onyx shell.

2. Cut a 14-inch piece of wire.

3. Thread wire through one crimp bead and then through one part of toggle clasp.

4. Bring wire back through crimp bead and use flat-nose pliers to squeeze crimp close.

5. Thread wire through black round diamond cut onyx. When you reach center of necklace, put an onyxshell on then start rotating with round onyx beads.

Sexy Nomad's Projects: Making Beaded Earrings, Necklaces & Bracelets

I used to love making New Year's resolutions. Unfortunately, I never seem to follow through my list. This blog hopes to end that. This will detail my journey on artsy and crafty projects I've always wanted to do, be it soap making, drawing, sewing, concocting spa products, beading, paper crafting, etc. Join me as I try to rediscover my passions in spite of my very hectic work schedule. This green and red bracelet below is made of semi-precious stones like Unakite. It is also called Epidote, which is derived from the Greek epidosis, which means "growing together". Unakite is a combination of green Epidote and red Jasper solidly bound together. This is actually where people got the saying "What comes together belongs together." Romantic, isn't it? Semi-precious stones or gemstones are very useful when making jewelry because they give out certain energy that can offer healing. Take for instance Jasper. It is good for healing the liver, bladder, gallbladder, for tissue regeneration, for the improvement of the sense of smell, for easing stress, balances energies and emotions, takes away fears, helps one become more independent, gives protection and stability. As for Unakite, it can be used to put away negative energy, lift your spirits when you are depressed or sad, helps you to see the beauty in life, can help you in giving confidence when making spells and can help find lost things. I think I'm gonna wear my Unakite bracelet as often as possible to drive away negative forces. Teehee.

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