We’re still seeing lariat necklaces everywhere and it certainly will trend for a while because of it’s organic look! You wear it long or short, depending on how you dress it. In our DIY project today, is a lariat necklace using 1mm leather cord, brass beads and some gorgeous Terra Agate gemstones!

What you’ll need for necklace:

• 14×40 Terra Agate Barrel Gemstone – TRAG14x40BRL
• 1mm light brown leather cord – Z015514
• Brass Bead A022201 OR 5mm TierraCast TC01490 (10)
• 30mm Organic Hoop by Nunn Design – Z004552

Directions:

1. Start with 2 meters of leather cord. Fold in half and at the loop, make a lark’s head knot through the Organic Hoop.
2. On both leather cords, slide on a gold bead, Terra Agate bead and another gold bead.
3. Make an overhand knot with both leather cords close to the last gold bead.
4. Wrap your piece around your neck to determine where you would like the lariat gemstone dangle to hang from and the length of your necklace. Make an overhand knot there.
5. Slide on both leather cords another gold bead, Terra Agate bead and gold bead. Make an overhand knot close to the last gold bead you added.
6. On one leather cord end, slide on 3 gold beads and make an overhand knot about 2 inches below the Terra Agate bead. Cut off excess.
7. On the other leather cord end, slide on 3 gold beads and make an overhand knot about 1.5 inches below the Terre Agate bead. Cut off excess.

We’re designing today’s October project with Black Gold Amazonite double drilled gemstones from Dakota Stones and our popular beading chain. Here is what you’ll need to create your own!

• 18″ – 30″ of 7.25mm Beading Chain – CH00724
• Double Drilled Gemstone – Item used in necklace BGA10x20DD-8
• 4mm Jump Ring – Z011500
• Large Capped Flat Tassel with Silver Textured Cap – Item used in necklace Z011722
• Ring End – X001505
• Choice of Clasp –  Item used in necklace Z012151

Directions:

1. Open jump ring and slide on tassel. Close jump ring.
2. Slide chain through three gemstone beads, through jump ring in Step 1 and up through the second holes of the gemstone beads. Center everything.
3. Slide end cap on beading chain end and crimp it. Repeat to other chain end.
4. Open jump ring from sliding clasp and slide on end cap loop. Repeat to other end.

Today’s tutorial features the DIY Suede and Gemstone Necklace. This necklace is easy to make and can be worn three different ways. First, let’s get to designing this necklace!

What you’ll need: 

• 3mm Micro-Fiber Ultra Suede Cord (Item used in example Z007132)
• 2 – Feather Charm (Z015963)
• 25mm TierraCast Hammertone Ring (TC00886)
• Crimp Cover End (Z009926)
• 4mm Jump Rings (A002413)
• Large-hole Gemstones (Item used in example APL8RDLH-8)

Directions:

1. Cut 50-60″ of suede.
2. Fold suede in half and make a lark’s head knot with the suede on the Hammertone ring.
3. Slide two large-hole beads on to both suede cords. (Cut ends at and angle to help get both ends through large-hole bead.)
4. At each suede end, fold over the Crimp Cover Ends.
5. Open a jump ring, slide on feather charm and loop end of Crimp Cover Ends. Repeat to other end.

3 Ways to Wear the Necklace

Here are three ways that you can chnage up your suede and gemstone necklace.

1. With the Hammertone ring at the front of your necklace, wrap the suede around your neck and slide both ends through the ring. This creates an illusion of two necklaces!

2. Wrap both suede ends around your neck in the same direction and loop both ends into the Hammertone ring!

With the Hammertone ring at the front, tie your suede ends at the back of your neck. Adjust length as needed.

Design this wrap bracelet with Amazonite large-hole faceted gemstones and Deertan Lace leather. It’s also adjustable with a sliding clasp and easy to make!

What you’ll need:

• Amazonite Large-Hole Gemstones – AMZ8RLLH-8
  Or You can use other Large-Hole Gemstones
• 3mm Saddle Deertan Lace – Z015557
  Or other colors of ‘Deertan Lace’
• Grooved Large Hole Bead – TC00210

Directions:

1. Cut a 36′ piece of deertan lace.
2. Slide 7 gemstones onto the leather. (Cut ends at and angle to help push leather through.)
3. Take both of your leather ends and slide through TierraCast bead.
4. Make a knot at each leather end.

Today’s FREE tutorial is wire wrapping Crystal Quartz points and making simple pair of earrings with them! All you need are a few tools and wire to get your started!

What you’ll need for tutorial:

• Crystal Quartz points
• 22 – Gauge Wire
  OR
• 24 – Gauge Wire
• Tools: Round Nose Pliers, Chain Nose Pliers and Side Cutter

Crystal Point Tutorial

Here are some earring examples to using your crystal points!

Crystal Hoop Earrings
We took three different graduated points and slid them over the hoop earrings for an easy pair of earrings!

Items used in earrings: CRY3-36PT, AW00055, Z011592

Crystal Point Drop Earrings

In this example, we chose two points of the same length and dangled one point on either sides of the drop link. And a third point at a longer length at the middle.

Items used in example: CRY3-36PT, AW00055, Y013693, TCZ0077, A002413

Rocky Butte, from our friends at DakotaStones, “is mined in Oregon and may have either dendritic or landscape qualities. It may also be called Rocky Butte Picture Jasper. The combination of color and pattern variation are reminiscent of Red Creek Jasper, although the colors are much more muted. Rocky Butte Jasper strands are predominantly shades of gray, brown and tan with some beads or inclusions of rust and rose.” (DakotaStones.com)

If you love gemstones as much as we do, you’ll love this pair of hoop earrings with North American Rocky Butte gemstone beads. It’s a perfect pair of earrings for fall!

What you’ll need for earrings:

• 4mm Round Gemstones (Item used in example: RBP4RD)
• 30mm Hoop Frame (Z017105)
• Silver Seed Bead (SB00106)
• Headpins (A019647)
• Earring Finding (Item used in example: A008998)

Directions:

1. On a headpin slide on the following amount of gemstones and make a simple loop:
   A. 1 gemstone, make a total of 8.
   B. 2 gemstones, make a total of 12.
   C. 3 gemstones, make a total of 8.
   D. 4 gemstones, make a total of 2.
2. On open hoop on hoop frame and slide on the following seed bead and gemstone dangle:
   Seed bead, A, seed bead, A, seed bead, B, seed bead, B, seed bead, B, seed bead, C, seed bead, C, seed bead, D, seed bead, C, seed bead, C, seed bead, B, seed bead, B, seed bead, B, seed bead, A, seed bead, A and seed bead.
3. Close hoop frame. Open earwire loop and slide on hoop frame loop. Close earwire loop.
4. Repeat Step 2 and 3 for other earring.

Combining some of our favorite components, we have gemstones, acetate and an adjustable necklace sliding clasp in this simple link necklace!

What you’ll need:

• 8mm round gemstone (item used in necklace ONX8RD-8)
• 15mm Acetate Two Hole Coin Connector (Item used in necklace Z015018)
• 20mm Acetate Two Hole Coin Connector (Item used in necklace Z015028)
• 14mm Brush Silver Ring Connector/Link (Y018889)
• Silver Plated Adjustable Wheat Chain Necklace Sliding Clasp (Z011945)
• 1.5 Inch Silver Eyepin (A019606)
• 5mm Silver Jump Ring (A001528)

Directions:

1. Slide a gemstone on an eye pin and make a simple loop.
2. Open a jump ring and slide through necklace loop end and a gemstone link. Close jump ring.
3. Using jump ring in between each link, connect each link in the following order starting from gemstone link in Step 1:
   15mm acetate, brushed silver ring, gemstone link, 20mm acetate, brushed silver ring, gemstone link, 15mm acetate, brushed silver ring, gemstone link, 20mm acetate, brushed silver ring, and gemstone link.
4. Open another jump ring, slide on other end of gemstone link and through other necklace loop end. Close jump ring.

We’re highlighting the Imperial Jasper from Dakota Stones in these easy DIY tutorials using clam shell bead tips!

Imperial Jasper

Imperial Jasper occurs naturally in a beautiful range of colors including pinks, mossy greens, burgundy and milky white, with striking patterns of parallel banding. Jasper has a long and illustrious history, having been worn by shamans, priests and kings and believed to be a powerful protection stone. Ancient Egyptians sometimes buried their dead with amulets of Jasper for safe passage into the afterlife. Our stock of Imperial Jasper are from DakotaStones and North America mined!

For our tutorial, we’ve taken the large Oval Imperial Jasper (IMP20-40OV) and the Nugget Imperial Jasper (IMP6-20NUG-F) and making a simple necklace and bracelet. These two strands come pre-strung and knotted with cotton threads. The knots will help us add our chain and clasps for easy DIY jewelry.

 NOTE: If you are using different beads and are not strung on cotton thread, you can string them and knot them with Griffin Silk Cord. Refer to our previous blog posts on Knotting with Silk Cord. May I suggest using a Size 6 or 8 Griffin cord.

Imperial Jasper Knotted Necklace

We love the chunkiness of the large Oval Imperial Jasper beads (IMP20-40OV) and makes a stunning collar necklace. Becuse these strands are strung out to be about 16 inches, we only need a short piece of chain to complete our necklace. Use about 4-6 inches of chain for a short necklace. You can also lengthen your necklace by adding longer pieces of chain.

Items used in necklace: IMP20-40OV, Z008717, Z001124, X003062, CH00313 & A015821.

Imperial Jasper Knotted Bracelet

We are loving these Imperial Jasper nuggets (IMP6-20NUG-F). Their variation in size and shape really adds an organic look to our bracelet. These strands are also knotted, which makes it easy to customize a bracelet.

Items used in bracelet: IMP6-20NUG-F, Z008717, Z001124, X003062 & A015821.

Mix up shiny Swarovski crystals and natural gemstone beads in an easy memory wrap bracelet.

Mixing up different types beads makes for a modern and even edgy DIY jewelry, especially when you use Swarovski Fine Rocks Tube beads and round Dakota Stones gemstone beads. And to bring even a more edgy look, we’ve added some beautiful Star Cut Crystal Quartz gemstone.

What you’ll need for project:

• 6mm Round Gemstones
• 6mm Crystal Quartz Star Cut Beads
• 30mm Swarovski Fine Rocks Tube Crystal Bead
• 7mm Nugget Spacer (TC00034)
• Extra Heavy Duty Round Bracelet Memory Wire (Silver/Gold/Rose Gold)
  OR Heavy Duty Memory Wire (Silver/Gold)
• Tools: Memory Wire Shears and Memory Wire Finishing Pliers

Minimal Fine Rocks Bracelet

Items used in bracelet: SW01736 & WR00131

Nothing like a simplistic DIY jewelry! Here, we used Extra Heavy Duty Memory Wire, cut a 1.25 coil and slide on the Fine Rocks Tube. The trick to getting the crystal tube curve is to gently curve the tube while sliding it on the memory wire. Center the tube and make a loop to both memory wire ends with the Memory Wire Finishing Pliers. The thick memory wire gives a hearty substance to a minimalistic design, without covering the whole wire!

Sparkly Starry Wrap with Gemstones

Items used in Onyx bracelet: WR00121, CRY6RD-SC, TC00034 (4), SW01736 (2) & ONX6RD-8.

Items used in Howlite bracelet: WR00121, CRY6RD-SC, TC00034 (4), SW01740 (2) & WHT6RD-8.

In these two bracelets are 6mm round gemstones and 6mm Crystal Quartz star cut beads. The star cut and fine rocks tube bead are both a compliment to an edgy and even punk-ish vibe!

1. Cut a coil and a half of heavy duty memory wire.
2. Make a loop to one end of your memory wire with memory wire finishing pliers.
3. Slide the following onto the memory wire:
   9 gemstone beads, nugget spacer, fine rocks tube, nugget spacer, 5 Crystal Quartz star cut beads, nugget spacer, fine rocks tube, nugget spacer and 9 gemstone beads.
4. Cut excess wire, leaving a 3/8 inch end. Make a loop.

Video Tutorial

Check out our previous Facebook LIVE episode, where Tory demonstrates how to easily create one of these wrap bracelets!

Our DIY lariat feature many of our most popular products: beading chain, tassels, slide clasp, gemstones and clamshell bead tips! Check out all you need to make one of your own along with our previous Facebook LIVE video!

We’ve combined many of our favorite products in this lovely necklace set. It’s adjustable with the sliding clasp, colorful with quality gemstones and simplistic with the popular beading chain. Plus, it’s tied together at the front with clamshell bead tips and tassels!

What you’ll need:

• 3 Feet – Beading Chain (CH00724)
• 2mm Crimp Tube (A004830)
• Clamshell Bead Tip (Z010740)
• 4x5mm Slide on Clasp (Z008576)
• 4mm or 6mm Gemstone Beads
• Spacer Beads (Item used in sample Z019080)
• 52mm Tassel with Cone Cap

Video Tutorial

Blue Impression Jasper Necklace

Items used in necklace: CH00724 (3 feet), A004830, Z010740, Z008576, Z019080, IJR6RL and Z004964.

OR Buy All the Products you need to make this project with this one sku – BAP0013

Purple Impression Jasper Necklace

We’ve used 4mm Purple Impression Jasper & Pyrite Round Beads by Dakota Stones (PPLPYR4RD) in this necklace. It’s definitely a stunning color!

Items used in necklace: CH00724 (3 feet), A004830, Z010740, Z008576, Z019080, PPLPYR4RD and Z006096.

Blue is always one of the most popular color to design with. There’s no exception to how the earthy blues and browns are in this Impression Jasper Rondelle Beads (IJR6RL) look.

Make a customizable and adjustable bracelet using your favorite beads, Griffin Silk Cord and Slide on Clasps.

Make sure to check out our FB video we did LIVE running through how easy it is making this bracelet. We made an adjustable bracelet with double strands of griffin cord strung with a side of metal beads and the other with seed beads and 4mm Gemstone beads.

What you’ll need:

• Griffin Silk Cord (Make sure to get Size No. 2 OR No. 4 and you’ll need a quantity of TWO)
• 4mm Gemstone Round Beads
• 11/0 Seed beads
• Metal Beads
• 4x5mm Slide on Clasp (Silver/Gold/Brass)

Directions

1. Unravel both your Silk Cord from its card and straighten them by running them through a wet towel a few times.
   
2. Flush both cord ends together and make an overhand knot with both ends.
3. Using both needles, slide on a gemstone bead.
4. Make another overhand knot with both cords about 4″ from the first knot you’ve made.
5. Using both needles, slide on the Slide on Clasp and pull it down next to the knot you’ve made.
6. With one silk cord, slide on a sequence of seed bead and metal bead until the length of these beads are long enough to wrap around your wrist. Make sure to end with a seed bead. Set this cord and needle aside.
7. With the other silk cord, slide on a sequence of seed bead and 4mm gemstone until the length of these beads are the same as the ones in step 6. Make sure to send with a seed bead..
8. Take both cords and make an overhand knot close enough to your seed bead.
9. Sew both needle through the Slide on Clasp, going the same way as you did in Step 4. This will criss cross the ends.
10. Using both needles, slide on a gemstone bead.
11. Slide the bracelet around your wrist to the widest part, which is around the middle part of your hand. This will lengthen your cord ends and determine where you will knot your ending knot. Make your knot and cut off excess cord.
12. The other end will be longer, so you will need to make another knot to sit closer to the Slide on Clasp.
13. Done! Slide your bracelet on and with your middle finger, hold one gemstone end while you pull the other gemstone end with your other hand to cinch the bracelet around your wrist.
    

Facebook Video

Bracelet Samples

We are LOVING this blue and silver combo! Heidi would agree also.

Items used in bracelet: SDL4RD-8, A006569 (2), SB00422, Z008576, A021442 (2)

In this bracelet, we did a full row of brass beads instead of a seed bead and metal sequence. Go ahead and make it your own!

Items used in Apple Jasper Bracelet: A022196, A006569, SB00423, APL4RD-8, Z008577

Check out this lovely tutorial courtesy of Leather Cord USA. Learn to make celtic knots with leather cord and use the skill to make fun jewelry designs!

Our friend, Michelle from Leather Cord USA provided us with this great tutorial on how to tie the double celtic knot using two pieces of leather cord! Make yours today.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 – 1.5mm LeatherCord USA Leather (2 Meter Length)
• 2 – End Cap (Suggestion item# A010436)
• Large-Hole Gemstones
• 10″ or More of Chain link
• Clasp & Jump Ring
• Needle Nose Pliers & Cutter

Step by step instructions:

1. Take the two strands of Round Leather Cords and place evenly side by side then fold in half, creating four strands grouped in two.
2. Lay leather flat on a table or board
3. Take the right side group of two strands and create a loop laying it on top of the left strands. This will create three openings: top, middle and left (outside) as indicated in the photo below.
4. Take the left side and cross the cord over the tail of the right side then under the base of the top opening and feed through then back down the middle opening and up through the left opening.
5. Gently pull both tails while adjusting the knot into place. (Be sure to keep the strands lying flat while pulling.)
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for the left side: Take the left tail and create a loop laying it on top of the right strands. Take the right side and feed the cord over the left tail then under the base of the top opening and feed through then back down the middle opening and up through the left opening.
7. Repeat all steps to create five individual knots.
8. Feed one Large Hole Bead on the two center strands
9. Feed one Large Hole Bead on the two left strands and one on the two right strands
10. Feed a final Large Hole Bead on the two center strands
11. Repeat the knot pattern from above for another five knots.
12. Cut the top loop (starting point) in half
13. Add a drop of adhesive to the inside of the end cap and place all four strands in, give a slight twist and hold everything in place for a few seconds.
14. Repeat step 13 for the opposite side
15. Take the chain provided and judge the exact length you want the final piece to be. Cut chain in half.
16. Attach each side of the chain to the leather piece by attaching chain to end cap with jump ring. Repeat process to other end cap and chain.
17. Attach the lobster claw to one end of your chain with a jump ring. Add a jump ring to other chain end.
18. Voila!!!! You are done! Now go show off your work of art for the world to see!

Visual look at how you will continue your necklace braids:

Other Examples

Simplify this knot by making one knot and adding a gemstone pendant to it’s center loop!

You can even make a smaller version for earrings!

Leather necklaces with a gemstone pendant are easy to make once you get the basic sliding/slip leather knot down. Check out our easy tutorial to tying a gemstone necklace of your own.

The functionality of the sliding knot is mainly what it states, it slides. When you make a sliding knot, you are making a knot over the other leather piece so that the other piece slides back and forth, which can make a necklace or bracelet adjustable. You can check out our previous blog post on making a sliding knot.

If you’ve watched the video, you will see that we’ve altered the first portion of the necklace video by creating a two, coiled sliding knot to pinch the leather together at the top of the pendant. This will create somewhat of a bail so that pendant swingings nicely back and forth.

What you’ll need for tutorial:

• 1.5mm leather cord
• Dakota Stones Gemstone Pendants (with a side, top-drilled hole)

Tutorial

Sliding/Slip Knot Tutorial

Check out video/blog post on how to make a sliding knot in Step 8. Knot tutorial begins at 0:40.

Necklace with Gemstones

Items used in necklaces: Z019148,  PEN-YJD28X32DP-FF, MRQ16-60NUG, PEN-PDC35-64FF

Point pendants are an easy component to use for simple pairs of earrings. We have 5 different ways you can design DIY earrings with point pendants.

To prep your Point Pendants, you will need to remove the bail from the pendant. On the backside, you can pull the bottom prong outwards to slide the pendant off the bail. You are now ready to use point pendants as point dangles!

We used the 6x16mm Onyx Point Pendant (Silver/Gold) throughout our examples to show you the different ways you can design DIY earrings with a simple pair of point pendants.

1 – Easy DIY Earwires

Select your favorite Earring Findings to pair with your gemstone points. You open the earwire loop and slide on your gemstone dangle. If earwire doesn’t open, using a small jump ring can easily attach your dangle for a simple pair of earrings! Here are three earrings using different earring findings.

• #1 Earring components: A002413, Z020488 (2), Z010743
• #2 Earring components: Z020488 (2), TCZ0077
• #3 Earring components: Z020489 (2), Z010215

2 – Chain Links

Use a short piece of chain to lengthen your earrings for a cute pair of earrings.

• #1 Earring components: Z020489 (2), TCZ0140 , Z007861, CH00802
• #2 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), TCZ0077, Z007856, CH01091 

3 – Links and Connectors

Taking one of our many Links and Connectors, you can accent your point dangle with a charming look! Connect with a jump ring, you have another simple DIY earrings idea!

• #1 Earring components: Z020489 (2), TCZ0140 , Z007861, A021765 (2)
• #2 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), TCZ0077, A002413, Y018889

4 – Bead Links

Besides adding a Link or Connector, make a bead link to match your point dangle! We used our beautiful Onyx gemstones and some of our newest Bali Metal Beads.

• #1 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), TCZ0077, A019612, SB00106, A021126
• #2 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), TCZ0077, A019612, SB00106, ONX8RD-8

5 – Other Examples

Play around with different ways you can design with the point pendants/dangles! Our hoop and frame selections will get your creative wheels turning!

• #1 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), A011541
• #2 Earring components:  Z020488 (2), TCZ0077, A002413, Z016723 (2)

New gemstones from Dakota Stones are detailed-cut to the popular bicone shape. See how beautifully cut they are and bead stitched on a beadable circle pendant or wire-wrapped into a chain link for a stunning pair of earrings!

Gemstone bicone beads ‘are faceted with diamond drill bits for sharper and more precise facets for more sparkle than a conventionally faceted stone.’ (DakotaStones.com) Each bead is carefully cut to 3mm in size with a hole size of about .7 mm. The sharp facets of its bicone shape, sure adds more twinkle in every turn!

Peridot Ripple Earrings

This tutorial takes these gemstone bicone beads and are bead stitched on a beadable circle pendant for a pair of cute earrings. Check out the illustration below to see how to ladder stitch through the holes and for each tier you sew on 8, 7, 6 and 5 bicone beads down to channel. Sew through the channels back up to strengthen the stitches. Tie off and cut excess bead thread. Add your choice of earwires and you have a pair of Ripple Earrings!

Items used in earrings: Z001475 (2), PER3BIC, A015211, A006585, TCZ0140

Crescent Peridot Earrings

Our friend Kayla from DakotaStones created this pair of earrings by wire-wrapping three, chained piece of Peridot gemstone bicone crystals and connecting one end with a Half Circle Pendant from Nunn Designs. Then use a jump ring to connect both chained ends  to earwire. Tip: Make sure the  loops on the chained gemstones are looped the same direction. This will help the earring to lay straight and not twisted.

Items used in earrings: WR00034/AW00055, Z020508 (2), PER3BIC, TC02305, Z010981