The iconic 90s hit movie Clueless lives rent-free in my brain. It’s no wonder when the storyline is based on Emma, because I love just about anything Jane Austen. But I also love Cher’s fashion, with her blue beaded choker being my top favorite.
In 1995 I was in 5th grade and didn’t have the refined beading skills yet so I just bought the closest thing to the necklace that I could find, which wasn’t really close at all (AS IF!), so I always wanted one just like it.
30 years later…
My husband and I were going to see the band 90s Rockshow this summer, and I thought it would be fun to dress a little 90s-style for it. So I did my research, and after a little trial and error, I finally made the necklace, the day of the show.
It’s not a difficult piece to make, but the key technique is in the flower design. The threads change but there are always 2 petal beads below the 2 side petal beads (with 1 on top, for a total of 5 petals; see photo below). I didn’t realize at first it has to be consistent to hang right, since the petals are not an even amount.
Materials
(128) 4mm Light Blue Round Beads
(17) 6mm Faceted Crystal AB Beads
(3) 5mm Yellow Pearl Beads
8’ White Beading Thread
(2) Silver Split Rings
(1) Silver Lobster Claw Clasp
(2) Silver Jump Rings
(1) Silver Extender Chain (if needed)
Supplies
Scissors (sewing or fabric)
Jewelry Pliers
Beading Needle (for hiding thread ends)
1 – Cut 2 pieces of thread 4 feet long each and pass them through a split ring so that there are 4 even working threads.
2 – On all 4 threads, string 16 blue beads then 1 crystal bead.
3 – String 16 blue beads on 2 threads, then repeat with the other 2 threads.
4 – Start the first flower:
String a crystal bead on one side, then pass the other 2 threads through the bead’s opposite side.
5 – String 1 pearl bead on 1 LEFT thread. On the other LEFT thread, string 2 crystal beads.
6 – String 1 crystal bead on the 2 RIGHT threads. Take the thread end from the pearl bead and joining it with the 2 RIGHT threads, string 1 crystal bead (so that there are 3 threads together on the RIGHT).
7 – Pass the LEFT thread through the previous crystal bead (from the last step) from its opposite side.
8 – String 8 blue beads onto the group of 3 threads and the same on the single thread (16 total).
9 – Start the second flower:
String a crystal bead onto the group of 3 threads then pass the single thread through the bead’s opposite side.
10 – String 1 pearl bead on 1 RIGHT thread, then string 1 crystal bead on the other 2 RIGHT threads.
11 – String 1 crystal bead on the LEFT thread.
Take the thread end from the pearl bead and joining it with the LEFT thread, string 1 crystal bead on those 2 threads.
12 – Pass the 2 LEFT threads through the last crystal bead on the opposite (RIGHT) side.
13 – String 8 blue beads onto each pair of threads (16 total).
14 – String a crystal bead on one side then pass the other 2 threads through the bead’s opposite side.
15 – Repeat steps 5-7 to make the third, last flower.
16 – String 16 blue beads on the 3 threads and another 16 blue beads on the single thread. String a crystal bead on all 4 threads.
17 – String 16 blue beads and add the other split ring, then tie a knot. Hide the ends by passing the thread back through the beads and trim off.
18 – Attach the clasp with jewelry pliers (and the extender chain if needed).
How did yours turn out? I’ll be Clueless without your comment below!
