Project Idea -- Leather Pendant Necklace

Here's an easy project idea with a design that has guys in mind. Add charms or pendants to appeal to anyone's taste.

Supply List -
1 Necklace Kit, 2mm Leather Cord, 03-DAM276600 or 03-DAM276603 (or you may use 18" of bulk leather cord available in store, plus crimp coils and choice of clasp.)
4 Large Hole Metal Beads, approx.6mm (06-SWME999C or choice)
2 Curved Tube Plated Beads, 30mm (06-51-FM2776 or choice)
1 Gemstone Pendant, such as from 08-51-FM1665 or choice of charm w/jumpring

1 Jumpring (optional)

Tools: flat nose pliers, scissors, optional G-S Hypo Cement

Before you begin, decide how long you want your cording to be. A 16" necklace is choker length for most women, most men would need 17" or 18" for choker length, slightly longer for those with broader necks. Use your scissors to cut the cord about 1/2" shorter than the desired end length (crimp coils and clasp will add additional length). There is enough material in the kits to make three complete necklaces.

Directions for attaching crimp coils are also available on kit packaging.

To begin put some optional G-S cement on one end of your cut leather cord, then slide end through one crimp coil (also called spring or spiral) with the loop end up. With your pliers, squeeze the last two coils at the base of the crimp coil so the leather is held in place (see illustration at right). Onto open end of leather cord, string on beads of your choice, or as shown using a metal bead, a curved tube bead, a metal bead, and your pendant, then repeating pattern to complete. Finish necklace by repeating coil crimping directions on opposite end of cord. To attach the clasp, use your pliers to gently twist open one of the crimp coil end loops, link through end ring of clasp, then twist loop closed. To wear necklace, clasp can attach to end loop on opposite crimp coil, or attach an optional jump ring for a more finished look.

Many styles of charms and pendants look great on this style of necklace. Charms are especially fun when making gifts because you can highlight a specific interest of the gift recipient. When using charms on a necklace, you'll need to add a jump ring or small snap-on bail to the charm loop so the charm will hang straight.

Another simple way to adapt an item to use on cording is using a donut bail on a donut (large ring with no drill hole -- at left). Simply slide the bail through the donut center, bringing both top loops together, then slide in place onto cord.

All the supplies on the list above can be purchased in-store at Bead Jam; most also available on our On-line store. Follow link for our store site. Do a search for the exact stock number or to see all choices or do a general search for supplies.

Design and instructions copyright of Bead Jam LLC; creation of projects is for personal or gift use only. Feel free to print and distribute projects as long as credit is given to www.beadjam.com