Bead and Ribbon Necklace

Supplies:

2 pieces of sheer ribbon - 3/8 inch x 36 inch ( 1 yard)

21 beads (7 each of 3 different colors) 

Jump rings 

Needle    

Scissors

Pliers

1 Necklace clasp      

2 Ribbon ends or Ribbon crimps (with or without teeth)    

For my necklace, I found 3 beads at Michael's that I really liked with larger holes. A brown, black and a brown/black/white bead. Now the key to success for this necklace is to find a needle that fits through the bead with the ribbon on. Sometimes the needle will fit but not with the ribbon. Using sheer ribbon is recommended.

Step One:

Cut each of the 2 pieces of ribbon 36 inches long. Next, lay out the beads in the pattern of the necklace. This is a 2 strand necklace so the beads on the outer side is one strand and the beads on the inner side is the second strand. On the outer strand, the bead pattern alternates from 2 to 1 and for the inner strand the bead patterns alternates from 1 to 2. When combining the 2 strands together it gives you 7 groups of three with one of each color in every group. 

Step Two:
Now that you have laid out your pattern, take the the ribbon and thread on a needle to each strand. Thread 2 beads on the one ribbon and 1 bead on the other. Move the beads to the middle of the string. Then knot the end of the beads on each side. (I used an over hand knot) It does not need to be pulled super tight. It is just enough to keep the beads from moving around.

Step Three:

Add the next set of three so that there is 1 bead on one string and 2 on the other and knot the end. Continue this until you have a total of 4 sets of three.

Step Four:

Move to the other side of the necklace and continue the pattern by stringing on 2 beads on one string and 1 on the other and knot. Make sure the pattern continues to alternate. There should be 3 more groups of 3 beads. 

Step Five:
Now place the necklace on your neck and see where you would like the beads to rest. The ribbon is intentionally longer then it needs to be in case the ribbon unravels etc. After trimming the ribbon on each side for the desired length, it is time to add the ribbon ends. Place both ribbon pieces from each side in the ribbon end. Clap down each side so that the ribbon is secure, will not move, or unravel. Continue to do this to the other side of the necklace. (If you are worried about the ribbon ends not being secure enough, you may want to add E6000 glue on the opening edges.) I feel if you crimp it down hard enough, it is definitely secure enough.

Step Six:
Now add one jump ring to the ribbon ends.  The final thing to do is to add the necklace clasp to the jump rings.  Now you have an imitation Anthropology necklace for a fraction of the cost.

This neckless cost me $15.00. I am all about the deals, so I used a 50% off coupon on each of the bead strands and on the ribbon. In order to use the 50% off at Michael's, each item may not be on sale and each item has to be on a separate transaction. Michael's does not have as many 50% off coupons as they use to, but they do use competitor coupons.  I often use Joan's Fabrics; they almost always have 50% off. As for the findings, jump rings, ribbons ends, and necklace clasp, I already had these items, but you can get these pieces in a bead store for a couple of dollars. You can also buy them in a multi-pack at Michael's which is not cost effective unless you need a lot of them.