Bone-Beads For Long Necklace Designs

Bone-beads are made with animals bones.
They are interesting to work with for different reasons.
First of all, they look like ivory ( texture, color) but are not ivory.
Their natural color is white and they can be dyed in "tea dyed" for an antique look or in really beautiful pastel colors.
They can be carved easily and you can find really sophisticated designs ( flowers, leaves, animal shapes…) which can be used as pendants or focal beads for example.
Here we used long "hair-pipes" for the necklace.
We thought that these beads were appropriate for a long necklace which could be wrapped easily once or twice around the neck.
We liked the elongated shape (can be found up to 7"- inch long) of these bone beads.
they are simple and elegant!
The necklace is made with mixed beads ( bone, glass, lampworked, resin and a gemstone feather/leaf).
The idea here was to play with earthy shades light up with subtle blue shades.
These beads even though they are made with bone are lightweight, so they are fine for making a long necklace because you don't feel wearing something heavy around your neck.
With its summery style, it is perfect for summer!
These "hair-pipes", bone-beads are often used in the native American Indian beadwork, jewelry and adornment which make them even more special!

Supplies
For the necklace with the carnelian feather and the beaded bead

We wanted to give an illusion of long fringe finished with a handmade flower bead and a carnelian feather. You can wear it as a long necklace or wrap it twice around your neck. The drop is attached to the necklace at the clasp. This has been done on purpose for you to be able to wrap it twice around your neck easily!

• Hair-pipe beads, 11 Indonesian glass beads,
  20 light blue glass "rondelles"
  10 small 3 mm blue resin beads.

• Small clasp, jump rings and crimp beads,

• A small " made with love " heart tag.

• Stringing wire (. 019" size), pliers and a cutter.

Supplies
For the Drop

• Beads: 12 glass teardrops, 2 white (5 to 6 mm ) round resin beads, 1 orange brown 12 mm round resin beads, 2 small 3 mm blue resin beads, 2 light blue "rondelles" and a carnelian carved feather.

• 2 eye pins and 1 head pin,

• Pliers ans cutter.

How To Make This Long Necklace With Bone-Beads?

• The necklace is done with the stringing technique.

• The drop is made with the right angle weave technique (for the beaded bead made with beige glass teardrops) and the wire technique is used to put everything together.
  You can also look at the video if you prefer.

• The picture shows another pattern idea for a nother long necklace: Bone beads are mixed with resin, plastic, glass and cherry gemstones.

For more ressources

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