Tribal Necklace

About

You Will Need (7 things)

Steps (5 steps, 60 minutes)

1. 1

   I took an old Mother of Pearl shell necklace and took it apart. I gathered various sizes of Batik bone beads from Kenya (These can be found at bead stores, gem fairs and flea markets). I had the center bone pendant from a necklace I bought in Kenya.

2. 2

   I took an eye pin and wrapped it around the long black bone beads creating a loop for stringing using needle nose pliers. Then I used a head pin for each small batik bead dangling from the long black beads. Use the pliers to create a loop and attach to the end of the long black beads so they dangle.

3. 3

   Once those pieces are ready to go, lay out the design as you like. I created a graduated look with the sizes of beads and alternated the black and white beads. Along with wood balls, stone discs and small bone beads I strung the beads on heavy weight jewelry string (not the stretchy kind) or you could use fishing line. You need something strong as these are heavier beads.

4. 4

   Once it was at the desired length, I used crimp beads and a large lobster clasp to finish. I used about 8 crimp beads on each side to make sure it would hold, again for the weight of the necklace.

5. 5

   You can use any combination of beads to create this design but I think using beads with pattern and putting them in a collar like design creates a bolder, more tribal look. This is definitely a statement piece! Hope you like it and good luck with your creations!