Make a convertible necklace and bracelet that is two times the gift: a pearl and crystal necklace that turns into a bracelet! Perfect gift for a Mom!
How To Make A Convertible Necklace And Bracelet
Materials
8 silver-plated crimp beads
8 silver-plated crimp covers
8 silver-plated wire guardians
2 Sterling Elegance chandeliers by Cousin
2 silver-plated filigree box clasps (identical)
19-strand .38 mm bead stringing wire, silver color
70 small freshwater pearls (2mm)
20 medium freshwater pearls (4mm)
45 large freshwater pearls (5mm)
7 small faceted round crystals, AB (3mm)
10 large faceted round crystals, AB (6mm)
13 crystal bicones, silver shade (7mm)
8 medium faceted round crystals, silver shade (4mm)
2 silver-plated jump rings
Tools
flush cutters
chain-nose pliers
Steps
1. Open one of the box clasps. Attach the single loop side of a chandelier to the tongue of the clasp using a jump ring. Attach the other chandelier to the box of the clasp in the same way.
2. Cut an 8” length of wire. Slide a crimp bead and then a wire guardian onto the end, slide the guardian through the bottom hole of the three loops of a chandelier, feed the wire through the crimp bead and flatten with chain-nose pliers. Trim the wire, then cover the crimp bead with a crimp cover, making sure the seam faces the back of the necklace. String 5½” of beads using the smallest pearls broken up with one small AB crystal every ¾” of an inch. Slide on a crimp bead and wire guardian, attach to the bottom of the other chandelier. Slide the end of the wire back through the crimp, flatten, then cover with crimp cover.
3. Make a second strand in the center of the chandeliers featuring 5½” of the large pearls broken up randomly with bicones and large AB crystals. Start, end, and attach the strand to the chandeliers in the same way as step 2.
4. Make a third strand in the top of the chandeliers featuring a 5½” series of 4 medium pearls, a medium round crystal, a bicone, and another medium round crystal. Start, end, and attach the strand to the chandeliers in the same way as step 2.
5. Open the other box clasp. Attach one end of a 13” piece of wire using a crimp bead, guardian, and crimp cover to the tongue end of the clasp. String 10” of large pearls, bicones, and large AB crystals in a random pattern. Finish by attaching to the box half of the clasp with a crimp bead, wire guardian, and crimp cover.
To wear as a bracelet, just clasp the triple-strand segment to itself. To convert into a necklace, open both clasps. Attach the tongue of the single strand of pearls and beads into the box end of the bracelet. Isn’t that so fun!? And pretty!
Happy Crafting,
Jennifer & Kitty
where can i find the chandelier pcs and the the box clasps with 3 string holes?
Hi Irene,
Prima Bead carries the chandeliers:
http://www.primabead.com/2pc-18mm-Silver-Plate-Chandelier-P6188.aspx
They have a pretty box clasp too:
http://www.primabead.com/2pc-Metal-Flower-Box-Clasp-Silver-P9710.aspx
It’s not the same one we used (well, we used two), but you can choose any two matching silver box clasps you think are pretty!
Jennifer & Kitty
What MM are your chandeliers and your clasps in this pattern?
Hi Barbara! The chandeliers are 15mm and the box clasp is 12mm. Hope that helps!
This looks very cool! I am going to have to try this.
It is a really nice to piece to make and wear, Doreen!
Jennifer & Kitty
Hi! I love this idea and would like to try this but I have a question about the design. In the photo of the necklace there is another row of pearls and crystals and I was wondering if that is part of the necklace or just another part of the bracelet. In the directions there are only three strands and in the photo of the necklace there are four strands. Can you help me out?
Thanks so much,
Hi Zonda, The first three strands in the directions make up the bracelet. When you make the fourth strand, it connects the two ends of the bracelet to form the necklace. So yes, there are four strands. But only three if you wear it as a bracelet. We hope that helps. Let us know!
Jennifer & Kitty
This is a very interesting project! I have to try making it! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Galina!
Yay! Glad you like it!
This is such a cool idea. It looks like it’s designed for a person with a slender neck. How would you change it for someone that needs more length? What is the total length of the necklace version as is?
Great question Shirley!
This necklace is about 16.5″ finished. If you’d like to lengthen it, add more pearls to the necklace side. Measure a necklace you like the length of and use that for your finished length. You can lengthen this design by adding inches of pearls to the necklace side. You could also add an inch of beads to the bracelet part to make that a little larger.
Hope that helps!
Jennifer & Kitty