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Turquoise and butterflies necklace set

Love the necklace? Make the matching bracelet and earrings for the perfect December birthstone set.

When I found this imitation azurite, I loved how it resembled turquoise — but at a fraction of the cost. I bought the carved picture jasper butterflies on a strand with the 4 mm rounds, which made designing the set a breeze. Wear the necklace asymmetrically to show off the butterfly, or with the clasp in back to keep the focus on the faux turquoise.

SUPPLIES

necklace 18 1⁄2 in. (47 cm)

30–35 mm butterfly bead
16-in. (41 cm) strand 18 mm round imitation azurite beads
16-in. (41 cm) strand 16 mm imitation azurite rondelles
22–30 4 mm round beads
2 3–4 mm round spacers
flexible beading wire, .018 or .019
2 crimp beads
2 crimp covers
2 Wire Guardians
S-hook clasp with 2 soldered jump rings

bracelet

30–35 mm butterfly bead
3 18 mm round imitation azurite beads
6–7 16 mm imitation azurite rondelles
8–10 4 mm round beads
2 3–4 mm round spacers
flexible beading wire, .018 or. 019
2 crimp beads
2 crimp covers
2 Wire Guardians
toggle clasp

tools

chainnose pliers
diagonal wire cutters
crimping pliers

INSTRUCTIONS

Necklace

1. Cut a piece of beading wire. Center a 4 mm round bead, an 18 mm round bead, and a 4 mm.

Turquoise and butterflies necklace Step 2

2. On each end, string: 16 mm rondelle, 4 mm, rondelle, 4 mm, 18 mm, 4 mm. Repeat until the strand is within 2 in. (5 cm) of the finished length.

Turquoise and butterflies necklace Step 3

3. On one end, string: butterfly bead, crimp bead, spacer, Wire Guardian, soldered jump ring. Repeat on the other end, omitting the butterfly. Check the fit, and add or remove beads if necessary. Go back through the beads just strung and tighten the wire. Crimp the crimp beads and trim the excess wire.

Turquoise and butterflies necklace Step 4

4. Use chainnose pliers to attach an S-hook clasp to one jump ring. Close a crimp cover over each crimp.

Bracelet

1. Cut a piece of beading wire. String three 18 mm round beads alternated with three 4 mm round beads.

Turquoise and butterflies Bracelet Step 2

2. String a 16 mm rondelle and a 4 mm. Repeat until the bracelet is within 2 in. (5 cm) of the finished length.

Turquoise and butterflies Bracelet Step 3

3. String: butterfly bead, crimp bead, spacer, Wire Guardian, half of a clasp. Repeat on the other end, omitting the butterfly. Check the fit, and add or remove beads if necessary. Go back through the beads just strung and tighten the wire. Crimp the crimp beads and trim the excess wire.

Turquoise and butterflies Bracelet Step 4

4. On each end, close a crimp cover over the crimp.

When making the necklace or bracelet, finish the end with the butterfly bead first. That way, it’s easier to crimp the crimp bead and close the crimp cover.

For a more dressy set, substitute bicone crystals for the 4 mm jasper rounds. Pick a few that bring out the accents in your faux turquoise beads. Colors to consider: khaki, olivine, indicolite, blue zircon, black diamond, and aquamarine champagne.

Be sure to pick up two extra butterflies for matching earrings! Check out the PDF if you need help making these lovely lookalikes.