Lately, illusion necklaces have caught my eye. Airy, light and open, the colors of the beads float and complement the wearer without weighing down. I've seen illusion necklaces that have a trendy twist and others that successfully update the most classic of styles.

From upscale boutiques to local chain stores, every time I pass a display I can't help but stop and study each piece. In the end, I can never bring myself to spend the money on such baubles -- I could much rather spend that cash on a new top, free of the stains my three children bless me with daily. Besides, those necklaces just look too simple. I've always walked away chastising myself that I could create one, and so my inner crafter recently accepted the self-imposed challenge.

The first trip down the bead aisle can send your head spinning. The variety in bead sizes, colors and styles is bewitching. Several chain craft stores in our area offer similar products at similar prices however, that's not to say that some don't stand out. A new line of Milk Glass beads by Cousin carried at A.C. Moore is a throw back to flea market milk glass and is $1.99 per package. There also are several stores locally that sell specialty beads, priced by the piece.

The basic components to get started can be found in any craft store and are quite affordable. Tiger Tail in 12-pound test retails for less than $5 for 30 feet and can do the job. Professional beading wire, which is a wire created from many thin wires twisted together to make one, is sold for $11.99 to $21.39 and comes in several metal finishes.

To begin, make sure you've got the basics: needle-nose jewelry pliers, beading wire (I went with 12-pound test Tiger Tail), 2-mm crimp beads, finishing clasps and your choice of beads.

I decided on a double-strand, illusion necklace and found it is best to cut two lengths of the beading wire slightly longer than needed. The easiest way to do this is to measure around your neck while looking in the mirror. Decide where you want your necklace to fall then mark the wire 2 inches longer than needed and snip with your pliers.

Even up the ends of the two wires, slip a crimp bead over both and flatten or crimp the bead with your pliers. This serves as a temporary end while you work and does not have to be perfect.

The beading of the actual necklace is quite simple, the hard part is the spacing.

My older sister always advises "whimsy" when crafting, and I have found this to be helpful. The idea is, don't go for the rigidity of perfect spacing. Let it flow, let it be whimsical and the imperfections won't be noticeable.

With this in mind, the next step involves using two crimp beads to sandwich a decorative bead. Once you have decided where you want that first bead to fall, take one strand of your wire, slide one crimp bead onto it and crimp. Next comes your pretty bead, and then your second crimp bead completes the sandwich. Voila, you are on your way. Continue in any pattern you wish, leaving space between each beaded section. Remember, illusion is the goal -- think airy, floating beads surrounding your graceful neck.

Finish the first strand of beads, lay your work on a table and string your second wire so the beading will fill in the open areas of the first. I didn't quite think this through on my first try and ended up with clusters in some areas and bare wire in others.

The final phase is to finish your necklace with clasps. There are many options, such as toggle clasps, lobster claws or the standard spring ring clasps. I chose this nifty product by Beadalon called EZ-Crimp. The package promises a "professional, secure finish" and, by golly, it delivers. The sterling silver clasp set comes with the hook-and-eye components already attached to crimp ends and ready to use.

Your first step toward finishing will be to snip off the temporary crimp bead that is holding your wire strands together. Simply slide both wire ends into one half of the EZ Crimp end. Double check your wires and bead spacing before your crimp. It's that old "measure twice, cut once" rule that I learned from my Dad! Once you're satisfied, go ahead and crimp the end in place.

Hold it up, admire your work, then move to end number two. Position your wire ends -- check your mirror one last time -- then snip the wire ends to make them even. Feed the end through the other EZ Crimp clasp and crimp. C'est fini! Place around your neck, admire in mirror, embrace the whimsy and wear with pride! blog comments powered by Disqus