Not your Garden Variety Necklace

Cut loose and alter a beaded necklace with whatever you have around!!

Instructions have been edited to fit this website. If you'd like more detail, photos, techniques and material sources, You can see the directions, photos, and get extra pieces here.

Over the top, funky, wild, anything goes… this project has it all. Mixed media to the max. Altering a beaded necklace to create the "enchanted forest" look (call it "the blossoms get loose" if you must) is fun, creative and always a surprise. Start with a solid color beaded necklace or string your own from leftover wood or plastic beads.

The necklace length is up to you, you can switch to chain after beading 8" so the necklace doesn't get too heavy or bulky.

Get out a hobby drill and the smallest bit you can find. Start drilling holes through the surface of all the beads (wood beads are the best). You should be able to feed wire or thread through to the center, knot it and then add beads to the 1-2" long "creeper vines" with green beads and glass leaf beads. Keep the "creeper vine" population to the center 3 beads.

Paint those drilled beads with glass or metal paint, (nail enamel does work well, too). Add pearl-ex powder to bead and swirl. Let Dry overnight.

Group your flower beads in colors and styles that look informal. Glass leaf beads and vine color seed beads add a touch of reality.

Putting flowers into the holes you drilled: Slide flower bead(s) in layers on a short head pin. (Add filigree bead caps, rhinestone rondels, or faceted bicone beads to create diversity.) You'll have to trim the headpin so that the flower beads sit flush to the surface. I have come up with a 2-glue system that bonds perfectly. Using a head pin or needle, get a small amount of gorilla glue deep into the bottom of the drilled hole. (gorilla glue takes 24 hours to set up, but makes a much stronger bond than super glue). Dab a small amount of super glue at the surface of the hole to firmly set the "flower stack" in place.

Repeat this process until you have the "jungle" you desire. Put seed beads on the thread/wire "vines" and finish the thread off with a flower or leaf bead. Add clasp to piece and add a dot of glue to any thread knots. Coat any delicate surfaces or light spots with a clear gloss glaze like Magic Glos, Gloss Acrylic Medium, poly resin, even clear nail polish if that is what you have.

Let sit for 2 days. You may want to add a leaf bead embellishment or rhinestone when you wear it for the first time. I consider mine to be "works in progress". (if you take this route, make sure you photograph the piece often so you can document your inspirational progress.)