Single-Strand Necklace with Turquoise Donuts and Carnelian Gemstone Beads

This necklace uses gemstone donuts to achieve a delightful organic look. Sterling silver donut bails and crimp beads add shine, and with the large selection of donuts available, this design has the versatility to accomodate every look and mood.

STEP 1
Using your fingers, or flat-nose pliers, flatten the large round end of the bail and insert through the donut hole.
STEP 2
With round-nose pliers and flat-nose pliers, separate ends of flattened donut bail to create oval loops at both ends. Do this on both sides of donut hole.

Set aside.
STEP 3
Insert a decorative head pin through the center loops, turn donut over and twist the wire of the headpin with round-nose pliers, creating a curl the length of the headpin; press flat.
STEP 4
Cut two 22-inch pieces of beading wire.
STEP 5
While holding the two pieces of wire together, thread on a crimp bead and about 2 inches of 2mm carnelian beads.
STEP 6
Pass the wires through the crimp bead to form a loop of beads; slip the loop over the donut you've chosen for your clasp, ensuring the loop will fit.
STEP 7
Crimp the crimp bead then begin stringing your design. Continue stringing until you reach 5 inches from the end.
STEP 8
Split the two wires then thread on small beads for about 1-inch.
STEP 9
Thread on your donut; passing one wire through the center of the donut from front to back and the other from back to front (crisscrossing the wires).
STEP 10
Put both wires back together and continue beading until there is only 2 inches of wire remaining.
STEP 11
Thread on a crimp bead and one oval loop on the donut pendant. Pass the beading wires back through the crimp bead and pull the wires, tightening up the pattern, but not so tight that the necklace will be rigid. Crimp the crimp bead and trim any excess beading wire.
STEP 12
Cut one 44-inch piece of beading wire fold in half.
STEP 13
Thread the side of the folded wire into a pearl. Then putting the two sides of the folded wire together thread on 2 inches of pattern and a crimp bead. Crimp wires into place; add a spacer bead and donut for clasp closure.
STEP 14
Continue with your pattern until you have about 5 inches of beading wire remaining.
STEP 15
Split the two wires and thread on small beads for about 1-inch; matching up the pattern from the first half of the necklace so both sides are symmetrical.
STEP 16
Thread on your donut; passing one wire through the center of the donut from front to back and the other from back to front (crisscrossing the wires).
STEP 17
Put both wires together and continue the beading pattern until there is only 2 inches of wire remaining.
STEP 18
Thread on a crimp bead and the other oval loop on the donut pendant. Pass the beading wires back through the crimp bead and pull the wires, tightening up the pattern, but not so tight that the necklace will be rigid. Crimp the crimp bead and trim any excess beading wire.

Your design is now complete.

The donut bail is a great finding to use. Don't hesitate to play around with it; there are several different ways this finding can be used to create beautiful jewelry.

The pieces featured in the Gallery of Designs are copyrighted designs and are provided for inspiration only. We encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.

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