By Kristin

Your flowers are picked, the tuxes are rented and the invitations have all been sent out.  You thought you were finished with the wedding plans when you remembered that you need gifts for your attendants. 

Like most brides, I gave my girls jewelry to wear on the day of, but made sure it was something they could wear again and again over the years.  It seems that a lot of web sites offer jewelry you can buy, but I find it all looks the same after a while. 

This week’s blog is devoted to making a custom necklace that your bridesmaids will love.  It’s fast and easy to make and perfect for a summer or fall wedding.  The colors are also very easy to change according to the colors of your wedding.  I just chose green because it was so pretty and vibrant.  Use this tutorial to make a necklace inspired by mine, or copy it exactly, the options are endless!

Materials:

• Size 3mm Organdy Ribbon – 20″
• Size 4mm Swarovski Beads – 10 beads
• 60mm Dyed Shell Pendant – 1 pc
• Filigree Flower Charm - 1 pc
• Size 12 Flat Back Rhinestone – 1 pc
• 2 Clamshell Clamps
• 1 Closure
• 2 Jump Rings

Hardware:

• Tweezers
• E6000 glue
• Flat nose Pliers

Instructions: 

1. The first step is to glue the rhinestone into the center hole of the flower charm.  Dab a tiny amount of glue into the hole using a pin or toothpick, and then drop the stone into it with the tweezers.  Let this dry for 10 minutes.
2. Once the rhinestone is dry, you can glue the charm to the center of the shell pendant.  Put a little bit of glue on the back of the flower (not too much or it will ooze out the sides), and stick it on the shell.  Let this dry while you work on the ribbon necklace.
3. String a bead onto the ribbon 2″ from the end, and make a knot on either side to keep it in place.  Make a knot about 1 ½” – 2″ away from the bead you just did, string on a bead, make another knot on the other side of the bead, repeat until you have all the beads knotted and strung leaving 2″ on each end of the ribbon.
4. String a clamshell clamp on the end of one of the ribbons and make a double knot right at the end, dab a little glue here and let dry, repeat with the other side.  When the glued ends are dry you can clamp the clamshell closed.  This will give a nice finished end to the ribbon so it doesn’t fray over time.
5. Using the pliers add an open jump ring to the cent of the ribbon and add the pendant, close the jump ring.
6. Use the pliers to add the closure to the end clamps as well.
7. Wrap up your completed necklace in a pretty box for your bridesmaids to wear on the big day.