Silk loop chain necklace Tutorial

Every October I am super busy with navaratri, setting up my Golu. This year however, as I am in the middle of an unplanned forced upon kitchen redo, I have given Golu a hard pass. On one hand I feel happy that I do not have to plan a theme, craft a lot of mini sets, set up, and entertain people at home everyday and eventually clean up. On the other had I feel really sad to break the 12 year thematic golu streak. So I am keeping my creative side satisfied by doing quick jewellery projects. I have two projects a.k.a two such tutorials lined up for you this October. First up is the Silk loop chain necklace tutorial below.

Silk loop chain

I have worked with wrapped silk thread (Viscose) cord and Silk fabric cord before. But I recently came across Silk loop chain. It was beautiful, unique, and interesting. Once I received my order from Cobeads I realised that even though the chains look heavy they are very light. I love chain necklace with multiple strands of chain terminating with large beads. But these always end up on the heavier side. So when I saw this light chain I knew that it would be perfect for my Silk loop chain necklace idea.

Silk loop chain necklace Tutorial

I love creating Holiday or festive jewellery that can be worn throughout the year. While I have used colours like orange, black and gray (typically associated with Halloween) I have used them in a non – costumey manner. This I believe is great for those who want to “style a look” based on a theme that is fashionable and elegant.

Here is the list of material along with an indicative visual. The resultant necklace is short at about 18-19 inches. I used one pack each of silk cords (about 26 inches long).

Materials

Handmade Silk Chains Loop, Black
Handmade Silk Chains Loop, Gray
Artisan wire black, 20g
Coral glass rounds – 6mm – 2
Coral flat oval – 1
Black oval –  1″ long – 1
Rack plated Twister brass Clasp
Tools – Step nose pliers, wire cutter, mandrel

Method

1. Fold both your cords in the center making sure that there this one single loop left in the center with equal loops on either side. We will first work with the open ends.
2. Measure your long oval bead and add 4-5″ to it. Cut this length of wire.
3. Using the stepped pliers make a double loop. Use this loop to connect all the four end loops of the silk cords. Wrap the wire around the loop.
4. Add the bead and wrap the loop on the other side.

Make the Clasp into a focal

6. Cut 2 pieces of 2″ wire and make eyepins out of them

7. Insert the eyepin through the upper end of the clasp and add a coral glass bead.
8. Using your pliers, create a loop and attach to the center loop of the silk chain before closing the loop.
9. Repeat the same process with the second eyepin-bead pair.

10. Using a ring mandrel or a 3/4″ diameter marker as your mandrel, wrap wire twice around it. Leave a half and tail at the loop and a two inch tail at the bottom. Wrap the shorter tail to the looped wire.
11. On the longer tail, add the flat oval coral bead and make a wrapped loop to connect it to the black oval bead.
12. Trim the wire at all the looping points and tuck them in. Press loops to together a few times to harden them.

The Silk loop chain necklace is now complete. You can reverse steps 10 and 11 but I prefer my way as I can snugly position my bead against the loop. I prefer to keep side focals on my necklaces on the right side as most of my clients wear sarees and do not want the focal to clash with the saree’s border. But recently, I have had clients ask for pieces which they can wear both ways. This they felt would work with kurtas or dresses as well. Hence, I have made this necklace in such a manner that you can wear it in three different ways. Clasp on the right, Clasp on the left or Clasp at the back so you can see only the soft silk chain n the front.

I hope you like my quick and easy Silk loop chain necklace tutorial. Using this technique you can make a great Halloween necklace in 10 minutes. Better still, you can wear it throughout the year.

If you liked this tutorial do share it on your social media channels and tag me @jewelsofsayuri on instagram or @sayuri on Facebook. Do share your views and thought of this design and how you plan to make it your own in the comments.

Disclosure

I hope you find it interesting
Cheers