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Diane Fitzgerald’s

Diamond Chain

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Diamond Chain

SuPPlieS A, 88 crystal bicones, 4 mm

B, size 15° seed beads, 1 g

2 round metal beads, 3 mm

3 yards (2.7 m) of Fireline beading thread, 6 lb.

Size 12 beading needle

Microcrystalline wax

Clasp

Scissors

Disposable lighter

Dimensions: 7½ inches (19 cm) long

This simple yet delightful chain can be made any length. Although the instructions here are for a

bracelet, you can bead a super-long chain instead and wear it many different ways as a necklace.

Bracelet

Figure 1

1 Thread the needle, bring the ends together, wax the length of the thread

well so that the strands adhere to each other like a single strand, knot the ends, and clip the tails 1 mm from the knot. Melt the ends with the lighter. (Don’t put the tails in the flame, just near it.) Check to see that the knot is secure. Thread is used double because crystals have sharp edges.

2 Pass the thread through one half of the clasp to within 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the

knot. Separate the strands between the clasp and knot. Pass the needle between the strands and pull up snug.

3 Add one 3 mm metal bead and 4 A. (Make sure the knot is tucked inside the 3 mm

bead.) Pass back through the 3 mm bead, the clasp, and again through the 3 mm bead and the first A (Figure 1).

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4 Add 1 B. Pass through the next A. Repeat this step 2 more times. Pass through the first and second A (skipping the Bs),

and end exiting the second B (Figure 2).

5 Add 4 A. Pass through the B just exited again, turn the piece over, and pass through the first A (Figure 3).

Add 1 B. Pass through the next A. Repeat this step 2 more times. Pass through the first 2 A (skip the Bs). End exiting the second B (Figure 4).

6 Repeat step 5 for the desired length.

On the last repeat of step 5, instead of adding the second B, add a 3 mm round metal bead and the second half of the clasp. Pass back through the 3 mm round bead, then complete step 4 (Figure 5). Knot, weave in the thread, and clip the tails.

knot

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 2

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Variations

l Substitute one of the following for the A beads to get an entirely different look:

Cylinder beads, 2 g

120 bicones, 3 mm

96 round firepolish, 3 mm

luse strands of Diamond Chain strung between the ends of a decorative multistrand clasp for a very fancy bracelet.

Asheville

larkcrafts.com

When I began my beadwork odyssey, little did I know it would last more than 20 years. It has been a journey like no other. Here, for your enjoyment, are my favorite beading creations:

Hard Candy BraceletOne-to-Many Strand NecklaceTie-One-On NecklaceShimmering Waves Necklace Collage PinYao NecklaceMerry Cherries NecklacePussy Willow NecklaceSea Moss NecklaceBraided Garland NecklaceDiamond Chain BraceletMajesty NecklaceTassel NecklaceMay BasketFortune-Teller BeadsSea Urchin Necklace Apple Blossom Necklace Zipper BraceletLacy BraceletMidnight Snowflakes Art Deco NecklaceKnotty NecklaceButton Doll OrnamentCanterbury Necklace

DIANE FITZGERALD teaches across the United States and internationally. She is a 2012 Designer of the Year for Beadwork magazine and a Swarovski Ambassador. Diane is the author of 10 other books, including Diane Fitzgerald’s Shaped Beadwork.

$27.95 | Can. $33.95JEWELRY | DESIGN