A Charming Thought! Y Not a necklace?

You just found a fabulous pendant or charm and a couple of really cool beads to go with it. Now the question is: "What to do to best show them off?"

Why not try a variation on the fashionable "Y" necklace?

You will need:

• non-stretch stringing cable or thread
• an interesting charm, focal bead, large pendant
• a few interesting, coordinating beads, 4 will do, or 3 + 3.
• some coordinating or contrasting smaller beads, 4 mm or size 6/0 or smaller.
• clasp

Plan your necklace first by laying out your big beads on your work surface. See what is the most attractive layout, and then begin stringing your necklace. A good work surface is a piece of chamois - available from your local car supply store, in the washing and waxing section. Soft suede works well too, as the surface is soft enough to prevent the beads from rolling away too easily - and, you can roll your project up and take it with you. Alternately, you can use a piece of velux blanket from the fabric store! It's inexpensive, doesn't fray when you cut it and lasts indefinitely!

Start with a length of non-stretch beading thread, stringing cable or similar. (PowerPro, Softflex, Accuflex, etc.) It should be long enough for the necklace, plus twice the length of the drop, plus a few inches extra for securing the ends. Ensure that it is thin enough to pass through the beads doubled.

Thread your charm or pendant to the center of the cable. If you want to hide the thread, cut a small piece - about a 1/4 of an inch - of French wire or gimp (French wire is a very tiny, very fine coil of sterling wire that slides over your thread as a flexible tube and hides the thread.)

If you are using a large bead instead of something with a loop, thread one of your smallest beads to the center of the thread.

Now, carry on and string each side of the necklace. Put your large beads at the front, and move to smaller beads as you work up to the back of the necklace.

Finish by adding a clasp. If you are using a light line, you can tie on the clasp using a surgeon's knot. Or you can use a crimp bead to secure the clasp. See the Fishy Bracelet article for details on using a crimp bead.