Seed Bead Pendant

For some reason, I've been in a major jewelry-making mode lately.  Maybe it's because with spring just around the corner, I'm excited to put away my sweaters and put together fun outfits for a new season!  In any case, here's one of the most recent pieces I've made...with some help from my sidekick, Little Crafter.  It's perfect for crafters of all levels, because it requires no jewelry tools, beading, or wire wrapping skills.  Take a look...

Materials:

- assorted seed beads

- blank pendant {these come in all shapes; rectangle, circle, square, oval, heart...}

- ball chain

- Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

Step 1: Choose your seed beads.  I'm going to estimate that for a pendant the size and shape of mine, you need between 100-115 beads.  Yours may need more or less, based on the pendant you choose and the size of your seed beads.

This was actually a great stash-busting project for me, as I had these sitting around.  My mother-in-law got this for me at a yard sale last summer...an entire 9x13 baking pan FULL of assorted colors, shapes, sizes, and styles of beads.  I've never been willing to make the time to sort them all out, so they just sit there unused most of the time.

 You can use any color combination you like.  You can also stick with all one color, or shades of the same color.  I wanted something bright and fun that would match just about anything, so as I sorted, I pulled out pinks, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, purples, and whites.  I'm thinking of making a black and purple Ravens one next!  And yes, sorting through all those beads was every bit as tedious as you'd imagine it to be...uggggh.

Step 2: Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge Dimensional Magic to the inside of pendant.  Add beads.

You can see that my little helper got to do this part.  I had to do the boring sorting, and he gets to do the fun part!  As usual...

This is how it will look.  You may want to take your finger and brush off the extras at this point.  Anything that sticks up above the sides of the pendant should probably come off.

Step 3: Apply a coat of Mod Podge Dimensional Magic over beads.

You want to cover them completely so it will from a resin-like coating.  If bubbles form, pop them immediately with a pin or your finger.  Let it sit in a level spot and dry overnight.

Step 4: Add a chain and wear it with your favorite outfit!

I chose to use a ball chain, but you can put it on any kind of chain or cord and at any length you like!

Super-simple, right?  It's quick, it's easy, and it's pretty inexpensive too, especially if you already have some seed beads in your stash like I did!  What do you think?  Is it chic for Spring?  All I know is that it's Little Crafter approved!  {Oh, and the hygienist at our dental office likes it too!}

Hugs & Glitter,