The Beadful Life @ BeadFX: InspirationFX: Dragonfly Dreams

Dragonfly Dreams

by: Anne Marie Desaulniers

Building on leftover stash items, from my "Dragonfly Links" necklace, this pendant necklace showcases the flitting movement, of the humble, yet elegant dragonfly. Beaded dangles and chain, hide between other dangles, and then peek out at you when you least expect it! Dreamy, casual, and easy to wear, with a definite Boho Chic flair! It brings to mind lazy summer days, cutoff denim shorts, loose, gauzy tops, and bare sandy feet!
I've always been attracted to simplicity in design, and despite the number of components, I feel that I've really pulled it off with this one! I've focused on chain, simple beads, and wrapped loops. I know that there is a trend towards messy wrapped loops out there, but for the life of me, I can't seem to force myself to make them! That'll teach me to learn how to do them the proper way!!!

Pendant Dangles - a total of nine, starting on the left side:

1 & 9 - oval jump ring + one 6/0 seedbead/druk/6/0 seedbead - wrapped loop on each end + oval jump ring + ball headpin, with one druk/two 6/0 seedbeads - wrapped loop on end

2 & 8 - oval jump ring + two 6/0 seedbeads/two druks/two 6/0 seedbeads - wrapped loop on each end + oval jump ring + all headpin, with one druk/one 6/0 seed bead - wrapped loop on end

3 & 7 - oval jump ring + nine 6/0 seedbeads - wrapped loop on each end + oval jump ring + ball headpin, with one druk/one 6/0 seedbead - wrapped loop on end

4 & 6 - oval jump ring + Sunburst chain (3 suns) + oval jump ring + ball headpin, with one druk/one 6/0 seedbead - wrapped loop on end

5 (the middle one) - oval jump ring + 6/0 seedbead/dragonfly coin/6/0 seedbead/Casbah metal round - wrapped loop on each end + oval jump ring + ball headpin, with one druk/one 6/0 seedbead - wrapped loop on end

Constructing the pendant:

Attach each of the 9 dangles to the 1.25 inch - Radiant Flat Round Ring, with 7 mm jumprings, keeping them in order from 1-9.

Add a 7 mm jumpring, to the top of the 1.25 inch - Radiant Flat Round Ring

Add two more 7 mm jumprings, to the top of the previous jumpring.

Then add one more 7 mm jumpring, joining the top of the two jumprings in the previous step. Keep this jumpring open.

Attach the 7 mm jumpring mentioned in the step above, to the bottom of the 19 mm Hammered Flat Round Ring.

Add a 7 mm jumpring to the top of the 19 mm Hammered Flat Round Ring + add ball headpin, with one druk/one 6/0 seedbead - wrapped loop on end. Close jumpring.

Add two more 7 mm jumprings, to the top of the previous jumpring.

Then add one more 7 mm jumpring, joining the top of the two jumprings in the previous step (this will end up attaching the pendant to the chain).

Constructing the chain:

The chain is approximately 29" long, but you could make it as long as you wish. I worked intuitively on this, cutting into the chain and adding wrapped loop components asymmetrically. I used up my leftover druks, by making them into single, wrapped loop components (wrapped on both ends). Some were attached to the chain individually, and others were joined in a series of either two or three units, with the 4 mm jumprings. All were joined to the chain in random patterns, with additional 4 mm jumprings.

I hesitate to give you actual chain lengths, because I would like your necklace to be individual, and not influenced by the chain lengths that I have used.

Finishing the chain:

Feed chain through the 7 mm jumpring at the top of the pendant.

Add a 7 mm jumpring to both open ends of the chain.

On the right hand side, attach the Classic S Hook closure. Then use your flat nose pliers to gently squeeze one end of the "S" closed.

If you don't know how to make wrapped loops, check out our "Tips" section, take a class, buy a book or magazine, Google it, or watch a video. The real secret is practice, so just get out there and do it!!

Tools used:

Flush cutters
Chain nose pliers
Round nose pliers

Enjoy your "Dragonfly Dreams", but don't forget that this summery necklace, would also be appropriate for other seasons. However, please remember to add jeans, and at minimum, a pair of shoes!!!