Turquoise Heishi and Wood Bead Necklace

About This Design

Time:  Approximately 1 hour

Level of Difficulty:  All Levels (with Basic Wire Wrapping Knowledge)

Cost: Varies, depending on materials selected.  Approximately $20-35 as shown.

Wood and turquoise with gold are hot color combinations, and this necklace set is funky and fun...and easy to make.  Finished with little gold "chiclet" bead details.

Want to learn how to make this necklace, or a variation of it for yourself?  Let's get started!

Step 1

Gather Supplies

Notes:  Decide how long you want your handcrafted necklace to be.   I went for a standard 16 inch length with an extender chain.

• Strand of wood beads.  Wood Beads on eBay
• Turquoise heishi beads. Turquoise Heishi Beads on eBay
• Turquoise colored seed beads of choice
• 5 Gold-tone square beads.  Gold Beads
• 10 gold spacer beads
• Length of flexible gold jewelry wire (like Soft Flex or Beadalon), enough for length of necklace plus several inches to work with. Gold Soft Flex Wire
• 5 gold-filled  headpins for attaching gold beads
• 1 clasp of choice.  I used a 14KT GF lobster claw clasp.
• 2 gold crimp beads
• One 2 inch length of extender chain.  I used bulk, gold-tone base metal cable chain.
• Medium sized gold spacer beads.  I used round gold-tone spacers in a disc shape.

Need Supplies?  Check my Jewelry Supply pages to find what you need!

Step 2

Assemble extender chain and gold beads

Slide a seed bead and a gold bead on a headpin.  Make a closed wire loop at the top and attach to the extender chain.    If you need help wire wrapping a loop, just follow these instructions.

Slide a gold square bead onto a headpin and make a closed wire loop.  Make as many as you want in your design, I used four beads.

Step 3

Thread beads onto wire 

Tie a knot on one end of the wire, or place some tape over the end, and string all of your beads onto the wire.    Check the length and overall design and make adjustments by adding, removing, or re-positioning beads until you are happy with the look of the bracelet.  You can do this first on a bead design board if you prefer or use a ruler.   

To follow my design pattern, start with a few inches of seed beads, a few gold spacer beads, wood beads alternated with turquoise heishi beads.  In the center of the necklace, attach your gold square beads--and then repeat the pattern in reverse up the other side of the necklace.  I used 4 gold square beads in the center of the necklace but feel free to add or subtract beads to get the look you're after..

Step 4

Attach the clasp and extender chain

Untie your knot or remove the tape.  Slide a crimp bead onto the end of wire, and thread the wire through the loop on the clasp, and back through your crimp bead.  Crimp the bead flat or use a crimping tool to close the crimp.  Follow the How to Use Crimp Beads instructions if you are not familiar with this technique.  Do the same thing on the other end to attach the extender chain.

TIP - For an even more finished look, cover your crimp beads with the new crimp bead covers!

 That's it.  Your great new pendant is ready to wear!

Matching Jewelry Set

This necklace looks great with turquoise and wood jewelry.  Try these additional designs.

Turquoise and Wood Bead Pendant