Florida Inspired Crystal Neckalce DIY

If you missed it - I recently announced that I was selected to be a brand ambassador for Cousin Corp. - an AWESOME jewelry supplies company!

 I'm so excited to be working with such a cool company!  My first assignment was to create any piece of jewelry that drew inspiration from "Florida." Cousin is based out of sunny Florida, so this was a very fitting first theme!

For me when I think of Florida I think of the BEACH! And I think of beaches that are actually nice.  Being from the philly suburbs, I've grown up always going to Jersey beaches when we want a quick gettaway to the beach.  And now, no major hate here towards Jersey, but the ocean is just NOT the cleanest.  After you get into a couple inches of water you can't really see your feet any more!!

So, when I think of Florida I think of the beautiful, sparkling ocean (that you can actually see your toes in!!!)  Nothing says sparkle like a some crystals, so that's where my design inspiration came from!

I LOVE these round turquoise/peacock colored round crystal beads from Cousin - they were such a pretty blue that sparkled with a hint of purple in them! (The beads I used were these 6mm Round Mirror Beads)

So, it only felt natural to pair them with some 4mm Bicone Amethyst crystals as well as some slightly larger  6mm Crystazzi Bicone crystals (links are to Cousin's sister site Prima Bead)

My first step was to turn all of the beads into a charm - I strung them onto a head pin, bent it 90 degrees with needle nose pliers, trimmed all but about an inch with wire cutters, and then used round nose pliers to bend the pin into a loop.

Next I cut out some chain for a basic "Y" necklace: one piece for the main necklace and a smaller portion for the "stem."  I connected the stem to the main portion of the necklace with a beaded link (just use an eye pin and create a loop on the other end)

Then I started to attach my beaded charms through-out the length of chain.  Just open up the loop you already created with needle nose pliers, string it through the chain, and then squeeze the loop shut with pliers again. 

I did the same thing with my purple beads and mixed them through-out the necklace as well. 

After all my beads were attached I finished the necklace by attaching a clasp to the back of the necklace using jump rings.

Here it is with all the beads on!

I love the mix of the purple beads and the blue/teal beads: it almost resembles the different shades that the ocean glitters at night :)

I will actually be IN Florida in the next week! Hubby and I are going on our first cruise and the first port is Florida - I'll have to remember to pack this little beauty to wear in the inspiration state!!

I'll be linking up to these parties:

Monday: CraftOManiac Monday, Making Monday Marvelous, Market Yourself Monday, Motivate Me Monday, Just Something I Whipped Up,, Made By You Mondays,  Making the World Cuter

Tuesdays:  Take-a-Look Tuesday, Show Me What Ya Got, Get Your Craft On, Homework

Wednesdays: Your Whims Wednesday, Creative Share Wednesday, We did it Wednesday, Sugar and Spice, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Show & Share,Lil Luna, The 36th Avenue 

Thursdays: Strut Your Stuff, Hookin Up With House of Hepworths, Catch a Glimpse

Friday: Friday Favs on Naptime Crafters, Weekend Wrap-Up Party, Frugal Friday, Show and Share Day, Weekend Bloggy Reading

Saturdays: Whatcha Got Weekend, Saturday Night Special, Show and Tell Saturdays,  Positively Splendid

Sundays: Sundae Scoop, Sunday Showcase, Think Pink Sundays 

Disclosure: I was provided materials to create this necklace but was not compensated.