Vanderpump Rules Stassi Schroeder Inspired Chain and Suede Choker

I hate to admit it but I kinda heart Bravo.  I was watching Vanderpump Rules this season and saw this cute little necklace, on Stassi (if you don't know who that is....it doesn't matter).  Anyway, I figured this necklace would be really easy to make and I was right.  I actually like the one I made better than the original (that's right: I'm patting myself on the back and I'm fine with it).  

This necklace is really easy to make and great for casual and work dress as well as for gifts. It only takes about 15 minutes to make. It could actually be cute for bridesmaids, if you want a little edge to tone down pastel sweetness.

Part of Stassi Schroeder

Findings:

1 Thick Silver Chain (Michael's)

Gray Suede Flat Cord (Michael's)

4 Cord Closures

*1 Lobster clasp
*1 small jump ring
*3 small jump rings

*I got all my components fromMichael's

**you can just buy a multi pack that has a selection of findings, like this one on Amazon.

Tools:
Assorted Beading Tools
Beading Board (it has rulers on it)


Step 1:
Decide where you want the necklace to fall and measure out the chain. My total necklace is about 16 inches. I have 2 suede cords measuring about 4.5 inches each.  My chain is about 6 inches. (The clasps will make up the remainder of the length)

Step 2:
Cut your chain and suede cording.  To cut your chain to size, simply grab a link and bend it open to separate the chain you want from the chain that is leftover. Throw away the bent link. Scissors should be fine for the cording.

Step 3:
Attach cord endings to all the ends of your suede cording.

Step 4:
Attach the chain to the cording using jump rings.

Step 5:
With a small jump ring, attach your lobster clasp to one end of the cording.  On the other end, attach a medium jump ring.

You have completed your necklace!

Rose Gold and Silver Necklace

This necklace is really easy to make and great for casual, work or wedding wear.  It also makes a wonderful gift.  It is also a great project for those just getting into jewelry making.  It only takes about 30 minutes to make.

Findings:

  1 Silver Chain

Lobster Clasps and Jump Rings

  4 Rose Gold Beads (Michael's)
*1 Lobster clasp
*4 small jump rings
*4 looped Headpins

*I got all my components fromMichael's

**you can just buy a multi pack that has a selection of findings, like this one on Amazon.

Tools:
Assorted Beading Tools
Beading Board (I can't live without mine.  It has a ruler.)



Step 1:
Decide where you want the necklace to fall and measure out the chain. Mine is about 16 inches. The pendant is about 2.25 inches.  There are 2 pieces of chain each measuring about 6 inches.

Step 2:
To cut your chain to size, simply grab a link and bend it open to separate the chain you want from the chain that will leftover. Throw away the bent link.

Step 3:
To create your pendant, thread each bead with its own looped headpin.  When you finish off your headpin, just chain them together, like below.  This takes a bit of practice.



Step 4:
With 2 small jump rings, attach your pendant to the chain.

Step 5:
Attach your lobster clasp to one end of the chain with the small jump ring.
On the other end, attach a medium sized jump ring.

You have completed your necklace!

Metallic Multi Strand Necklace

This necklace is appropriate for work or a night out!  It is easy enough to make that kids can throw one together for a sophisticated and versatile handmade gift.

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

Findings:

1MM Waxed Cotton Cord (neutral colors add sophistication)
2 Large Cording Endings
1 S-Hook Clasp (or whatever you have on hand)
*2 small jump rings
*you can just buy a multi pack that has a selection of findings, like this one on Amazon.

Beads:
Silver beads (small and square. I got mine from Michael's)

Tools:
Assorted Beading Tools
Beading Board
Candle (yes, any candle will do. Pine scented made the necklace smell nice)

40 second video on how I put this together!

Step 1:
Light your candle.
Decide what length you will be making.  I use 12.5 inches of beads.  Make sure to cut some extra cord as you may have to trim it because as it may fray while you are stringing.

Get your cotton cording and dip the end of it in the newly melted wax. Immediately, pinch the ends of your cord just to tap the wax down.  This will give you a hard tip and make your cord much easier to string. Tie a knot at the opposite end to keep the beads from falling off.  You'll cut the knot off, so make it as close to the end as you can.

Cotton Cording

Step 2:
String 12.5 inches of beads onto the first strand and set aside. Repeat for the next 5 strands.  

Step 3:
Cut off the knotted ends and gather one side of strands together to place in the cord ending.  Use pliers to bend the metal closure around the 6 strands.  Make sure this ending is tight.  Repeat for the other side.

Step 4:
Attach the S-hook closure with 3mm jump rings.

How To Wear This Necklace:

Nautical Bib Necklace

Findings:
20 Gauge Bendable Wire or Headpins
Bead Stringing Wire (Michael's)
*Crimp Beads
*Jump rings
*Head Pins
Seed Beads (Navy Blue: Joann's Fabric, White: Michael's)
Bead Covers (Michael's)
Bead Bugs (Amazon)
*Assorted Beading Tools (Amazon)

*get a kit multi kit as buying these individually can get expensive.

Step 1:
Decide the length you want and cut 3 cords of wire. I use Leave 4 inches extra on each for tying the knots, at the ends. You may want to make more than 3 strands, if so you'll have to get bigger Bead cones to cover the ends, which can get thick when they are all put together.















Step 2:
Attach a bead bug to one end of one cord and start adding your seed beads.  You can add them in alternating patters.  Or all one color.  Your choice. Repeat for all 3 wires.

Step 3:

Slide the end of the first wire through your looped headpin and through the crimp bead to hold it together.  Make sure the loop of wire isn't too long because you want your Bead Cone to cover the ugly ends.  

Step 4:

If you are using the 20 gauge wire, then you can make a loop with it and wrap it around itself a few times to make it look nice.  However, its easier to just use the regular looped headpin pictured above. I just add a seed bead then close the wire loop, so I can attach a jump ring.  

Step 5:

Attach lobster clasp and jump rings to finish.  You can 

You have completed your necklace!

Sea Stone Earrings

These are really simple earrings and you can change out the color for any occasion.  They have a nice weight and can be dressy or casual. They only take about 10 minutes to make.

Findings:

*2 Earring Wires

*2 Medium/Large Jump Rings

*2 Headpins

~20 Stones in any (Michael's)

*Assorted Beading Tools

*Michael's has kits that include these things and a couple of tools.  

Step 1: 

Slide the stones over the straight head pins. Use stones that are similar in size, as the sizes may vary.

Step 2:

Finish off the 2 head pins.  Loop the ear wire and the earrings with a large jump ring..and you're done!

Jade and Amethyst Earrings

These are really simple earrings and you can change out the colors to match and outfit.  For a more sophisticated look, try using only metallic beads. They only take about 15 minutes to make.

Findings:

*2 Earring Wires

*2 Medium/Large Jump Rings

*2 Headpins

*Assorted Beading Tools

2 Silver Hollow Beads (surrounding the Jade ones: Michael's)

2 Jade Beads (Michael's)

2 Purple Flat Beads (Michael's)

2 White Flat Beads (Michael's)

6 small flat silver beads (Michael's)

*Michael's has kits that include these things and a couple of tools.  

Step 1: 

Onto your headpin, slide on one small silver flat, one while flat. the bottom hole of the hollow bead, one small silver, one jade, the top hole of the hollow, one purple and one flat silver.

Step 2:

Finish off the 2 head pins.  Loop the ear wire and the earrings with a large jump ring..and you're done!

Black Stone Choker

Findings:

Bead Stringing Wire (Michael's)
*Crimp Beads
*Clamshells
*Jump rings
1 Toggle Clasp (Michael's)
1 Small Heavy Duty Chain (Micheal's)
Seed Beads (Brown Wooden, Beige, Tan, Mauve: Michael's)
Black Stones (Michael's)
Bead Bugs (Amazon)
*Assorted Beading Tools (Amazon)

*get a kit multi kit as buying these individually can get expensive.

Step 1:
Decide the length you want and cut 5 cords of wire. Leave 4 extra inches on each for tying the knots, at the ends. My end product is about 15 inches but I have attached an extender to make it a bit larger.  This is always a nice trick of you accidentally make something too short or just want to make a necklace longer, for a different look.















Step 2:
Attach a bead bug to one end of one cord and start adding your seed beads.  The add your stone beads on either sides and make sure you keep the seed beads in the center.  I have added the lighter color seed beads at the ends and the brown in the middle to give an ombre effect.  I also think gold seed beads would look really nice.  Repeat for all 5 wires.

Step 3:

Add a clam shell then a crimp bead to the end of one side of wire.  Tie a knot and slide the crimp bead over the knot and stamp it down.  

Step 4:

Cut the excess wire, from the knotted metal and close your clam shell around it.  Close the loop of your clamshell.

  

Step 5:
Attach all the ends, and the chain extender to a large jump ring.

Step 6:

Attach a Toggle clasp to the ends of the necklace. 

You have completed your necklace!

Twist the necklace before putting it on.

.....or just wear without twisting.

Silver and Green Bib Necklace

This necklace can be dressy or casual, depending on the beads chosen.  For a more sophisticated look, choose all mixed metal beads.  Perhaps, hematite edges and light silver filling out the middle?  

Findings:

20 Gauge Bendable Wire or Headpins
Bead Stringing Wire (Michael's)
*Crimp Beads
*Jump rings
*Head Pins
Seed Beads (Michael's)
Bead Covers (Michael's)
Bead Bugs (Amazon)
*Assorted Beading Tools (Amazon)

*get a kit multi kit as buying these individually can get expensive.

Step 1:
Decide the length you want and cut 5 cords of wire. I use Leave 4 inches extra on each for tying the knots, at the ends. You may want to make more than 5 strands, if so you'll have to get bigger Bead cones to cover the ends, which can get thick when they are all put together.















Step 2:
Attach a bead bug to one end of one cord and start adding your seed beads.  Add the green first then fill out the edges with the silver.  I have left about 6 inches of wire exposed so that the necklace will hang nicely.  Repeat for all 5 wires.

Step 3:

Slide the end of the first wire through your looped headpin and through the crimp bead to hold it together.  Make sure the loop of wire isn't too long because you want your Bead Cone to cover the ugly ends.  

Step 4:

If you are using the 20 gauge wire, then you can make a loop with it and wrap it around itself a few times to make it look nice.  However, its easier to just use the regular looped headpin pictured above. I just add a seed bead then close the wire loop, so I can attach a jump ring.  

Step 5:

Attach lobster clasp and jump rings to finish.  You can 

You have completed your necklace!

Make it a choker!