Crystal Boho Necklace and Bracelet

Designer: Dale Nicholson

Time required: 1½ hours

Intro Copy:  Combine a mix of cords and fabric strips with crystal dangles from Create Your Style with Swarovski Elements™ into this pretty mixed media necklace and bracelet with crystals.

What You Need:
Create your Style with Swarovski Elements™:
8mm Bicone, Denim Blue, (4 pcs)
6mm Bicone, Denim Blue, (8 pcs)
4mm Bicone, Denim Blue, (10 pcs)
6mm Bicone, Pacific Opal, (6 pcs)
4mm Bicone, Pacific Opal, (6 pcs)
6mm Bicone, Light Siam, (6 pcs)
4mm Bicone, Light Siam, (6 pcs)
4mm Bicone, Light Smoked Topaz, (9 pcs)
6mm Bicone, Light Smoked Topaz, (6 pcs)
6mm Bicone, Crystal, (9 pcs)
6mm pearls, White, (20 pcs)

Other supplies:
½” wide white torn silk or ribbon strips (4 26” pieces)
4mm leather cord (24” pc)
2mm white cotton cord (3 pcs, 40” each)
Medium link silver chain (28” pc)
Head pins, (90 pcs)
6mm Jump rings (pcs)
8mm Jump rings (4 pcs)
Lobster Claw (2 pcs)
4mm Crimp Ends (8 pcs)

Tools: Chain nose pliers, Round nose pliers, Flush cutters

What To Do (Necklace):

1. Using a variety of crystals and pearls, make 56 crystal dangles. (The remaining amount of 34 crystals will be used for the bracelet.) Make each dangle with an oversized loop (at least 1/8” wide) so that it can be easily strung later.
2. String on about 6 crystals and pearls onto your leather cord; set aside.
3. Tie two white ribbons (or silk strips) together leaving ½” end. Cut off 5” from one end so that the tied area will not be dead center. Start threading on about 24 assorted crystals and pearls while tying knots every inch or so. This adds texture and interest to the necklace while also preventing all of the crystal dangles from collecting into one area; set strung ribbon aside.  
4. Align three thin cords together and tie a knot with them all together placed about 2” from the end. Begin tying the cords by varying the knots with one, two and three cords, pulling them tight after each knot and adding about 26 assorted crystals and pearls as you knot; set aside.
5. Add a 6mm jump ring to each chain end.
6. Begin to assemble the necklace by laying out the ribbon, triple cord, leather cord and chain together. Play with each piece to adjust the lengths so that there is a moderate graduation. On this example, the shortest length is the triple cords, and then next is the leather cord followed by the ribbon and then finally the chain. If chain is too long, cut off the excess.
7. Insert all fabric ends into a crimp end and clamp each tightly to secure. Add 6mm jump rings to each crimp end, then add an 8mm jump ring to one end and a lobster claw to the other.
8. Attach the chain ends to the 6mm jump rings behind the closure to complete the necklace.

What To Do (Bracelet):

1. Using a variety of crystals and pearls, make 34 crystal dangles. (The remaining amount of 56 crystals is for the necklace.) Make each dangle with an oversized loop (at least 1/8” wide) so that it can be easily strung later.
2. Tie two white ribbons (or silk strips) together leaving ½” end.  Trim ends slightly so the tied area is not in the center. Start threading on about 24 assorted crystals and pearls while tying knots every inch or so. This adds texture and interest while also preventing all of the crystal dangles from collecting into one area.  
3. Wrap crystal dangle ribbon around wrist about three times and adjust it to fit. Sample shown here was cut to 21 inches.
4. Insert the ribbon ends into a crimp end and clamp it tightly to secure.
5. Add a 6mm jump ring to one end with a lobster claw and an 8mm jump ring to the other end.

Project Tips, Notes, & Techniques:  Make sure you create large enough loops on your dangles to fit on your ribbons and cords. To keep your loops consistently large, make a line using a permanent marker on your round nose pliers. Adjust all of your lengths before adding your crimp ends.