Silk and pearls

by Ute Bernsen

We originally wanted to use Ute Bernsen’s clever combination of pearls, silk and ceramic in our Pearls issue this spring, but we just couldn’t fit in all the great projects we had (another of Ute’s beautiful creations was included). But we still wanted to share this
easy-to-string, easy-to-wear necklace with you. Ute originally showed her design in summery whites, but as cool months approach we wanted to try a darker palette.
— Cathy Jakicic

1. Cut a 3-in. (7.6 cm) piece of beading wire. String a crimp bead, a 1-in. (2.5 cm) alternating pattern of pearls and flat spacers, and a crimp bead (Basics). At one end, string a bottom hole of the ceramic pendant and go back through the crimp bead. Crimp the crimp bead and trim the excess wire. Repeat on the other end, substituting a soldered jump ring.  Make a total of three pearl dangles.

2. Cut a 15-in. (38 cm) piece of beading wire. Fold the wire and string the loop through the top hole of the ceramic pendant. Bring the ends through the loop and string an 8 mm bead over both ends.

3. Cut a silk ribbon in half and fold each piece in half. On each end of the beading wire, string a 5-in. (13 cm) alternating pattern of pearls and flat spacers, a crimp bead, and the fold of a silk ribbon. Go back through the crimp bead. Crimp the crimp bead and trim the excess wire. If desired, use chainnose or crimping pliers to gently close a crimp cover over each crimp.

4. On each end, string the pairs of ribbon ends through a large-hole bead in opposite directions. Tie an overhand knot (Basics) near the end of each ribbon.

5. On a head pin, string a 2 mm round bead. Make the first half of wrapped loop (Basics). Make 15 bead units.

6. Attach three bead units each to the loop at the top and jump ring at the bottom of each pearl dangle, completing the wraps as you go.

7. Attach three bead units each to the loop at the top of the ceramic pendant, completing the wraps as you go.

• ceramic pendant
• 14 in. (36 cm) strand 8 mm pearl chips
• 8 mm accent bead
• 10 mm large-hole bead
• 50-60 4 mm flat spacers
• 45 2 mm round beads
• 30-in. (76 cm) silk ribbon
• flexible beading wire
• 45 2 in. (5 cm) head pins
• 8 crimp beads
• 8 crimp covers (optional)
• chainnose and roundnose pliers
• crimping pliers (optional)
• diagonal wire cutters

Silk ribbon from Silk Painting is Fun. Ceramic pendant from Marsha Neal Studio.