Smiling Buddha Zen Necklace

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Project N100
Designer: Andrea Morici

NOTE: This project includes one or more items that are no longer available, despite our best efforts. We have kept this project on the site for you to use as a template or inspiration for your own creations.

This statement piece will quietly proclaim your zen-like nature, as well as display your beading prowess.

Instructions:

Cut nine pieces of craft wire, each 4 inches in length. Make a wrapped loop at one end of each the craft wire segments. Add beads to one piece of wire in this order: short wood tube, red fire polish, blue and white bicone, red fire polish, short wood tube. Make another wrapped loop at the end. Repeat this bead sequence on one more piece of wire.

Using the same method and six more of your pieces of wire with wrapped loops, create two of each of the following sequences, and finish each off with a wrapped loop:

blue seed, round wood, cinnabar dragon, round wood, blue seed.
short wood tube, red fire polish, blue and white rectangles, red fire polish, short wood tube.
blue seed, round wood, round cinnabar, round wood, blue seed.

Using the last piece of wire with wrapped loop, add Buddha head and finish with another loop.

Cut two lengths of antique brass chain 2 inches (20 links) long. Cut six lengths of chain ¾ of an inch (6 links) long. Cut two more lengths of chain 4 and ¾ inches (44 links) long.

Gently prying apart the last chain link (alternatively, you may use an antique brass jump ring as a connector here) add the 2 inch length of chain to one end of the blue and white porcelain bicone segment. To the other end, link one of the ¾ inch segments.

Repeating this process, then add the cinnabar dragon segment, ¾ inch chain, flat rectangle porcelain segment, ¾ inch chain, round cinnabar segment, finally the 4 ¾ inch chain.

Create another identical sequence using the other set of chain and bead segments.

Cut three pieces of the braided bead thread 8 inches long. Making sure one end of the bundle of three threads is secure (we recommend a bead stopper), string all three strands together through twelve red seed beads.

Fold over so the seed beads form a loop.

Over all six thread ends, string a small round wood bead.

String a crimp bead underneath the wood bead. Make sure loop is snug, with no thread showing, and crimp the crimp bead in place. You should have six threads hanging down from the loop.

To each of the six strands of bead thread, add approximately 25 red seed beads (you may add more or less depending on how long you would like the tassel).

Finish each strand with a blue seed bead, another crimp bead (snug up beads and crimp it), and a dot of GS Hypo cement to secure.

When cement is dry, trim off excess thread.

At the end of one of the 4 ¾ inch segments of chain, add a round red cinnabar bead with a wire wrapped loop.

Cut an 8 inch piece of bronze color beading wire. On it, string approximately 33 red seed beads.

Gather the two ends of the wire together and string onto them a round wood bead followed by a blue seed bead and a crimp bead (do not crimp yet!).

Thread the two wire ends through the last link of the other 4 ¾ inch length of chain, and back up through the crimp bead.

Push up on all beads to ensure the loop is tight.

Now crimp the crimp bead and trim off excess wire.

Add an antique brass jump ring to the top and bottom of Buddha head.

Attach both 2 inch chain ends to the top jump ring.

Attach tassel to bottom jump ring.

SWAROVSKI
ELEMENTS

beads

metal beads

pendants & charms

stampings &
filigree

chain

findings

mixed media

tools

supplies

rare & vintage

jewelry

Smiling Buddha Zen Necklace

What You'll Need

Instructions: