I call this particular piece The Empress of China. It’s not imperial green jade but I think there’s a definitely a hint of Asian mystique to it. The fascinating light blue beads are called satin beads or cut-off beads. They are made of a glass bar that has been cut to pieces, so their edges can be quite sharp. I have also used silver-colored seed beads. Both blue and silver beads are size 11. In addition, there are some pearls. In order to work this out, you need to master flat even-count peyote. If you don’t, your first task is to learn it. Here’s a tutorial for it.
You need two kind of seed beads, both size 11/o. First, weave 10×8 piece of flat peyote.
Bring the sides together by taking the needle through the beads on both edges (shown with black dots). Your flat peyote becomes a tubular one. Making these tubes is the tedious part in this necklace. You’ll need at least 15 tubes.
After a long while you’ll have enough of these tubes. Then you’ll need some beading wire, a clasp and some pearls.
Start with half a clasp and a pearl at the end of the beading wire, this will work as an anchor to your piece. Then add 8 seed beads that you’ll place under the tube. They won’t be seen but they are important. They keep the pieces aligned. Since they’re hidden from the eye, they don’t need to be the best quality.
Slide the tube over the beads. Then continue the same way: pearls and tubes, pearls and tubes. And under every tube you have seed beads.
Once you’ve got all of them on their place, finish your work. The other end of the clasp will be the end of the row. Crimp it and cut the loose ends.
The finishing touch.
With this one on, you’d make the Empress of China envy your necklace. Too bad there aren’t any anymore.
