How to Make a Corded Lariat Necklace
To cowboys, a lariat is a long rope of hemp or leather with a sliding noose used to corral horses and cattle on the ranch. To jewelers, a lariat is a long rope of eclectic beads with a sliding knot used as a necklace. Lariats are versatile, command attention and are destined to end up around a neck. Create your own homage to the lariat with a corded necklace of Western-style beads and charms.
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Things You'll Need
- 3 feet suede lace cord
- 1 14 mm turquoise bead with a large hole
- 3 14 mm coral-colored and silver beads
- 8 inches of 24-gauge silver wire
- Flat-nosed pliers
- 3 jump rings
- 3 Western-style charms, such as cowboy hat, horse or cactus
Instructions
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1
String both ends of the cord through the large turquoise bead. Pull the ends until they are uneven in length, with one end 3-5 inches longer than the other. Adjust the turquoise bead as far up the cord as is aesthetically pleasing and allows you room to maneuver the necklace over your head.
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2
Slide three of four silver and coral beads onto the longer end of the cord. Knot the end, and add a drop of glue so it will not unravel.
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3
Wrap a small length of silver wire neatly around the cord above the last bead you just added. This will keep the beads in place.
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4
Form a small loop with an inch or two of the shorter end of the cord. Secure the loop by wrapping silver wire neatly around its two ends.
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5
Open a jump ring with flat-nose pliers and thread through a Western-style charm and the loop on the end of the necklace. Close the jump ring with the pliers, securing the charm to the necklace. Repeat for all the Western-style charms.
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Tips & Warnings
Add two jump rings to one of the charms to vary the length. Open a jump ring with flat-nosed pliers, thread on a charm and close. Open another jump ring, thread through the first jump ring and the loop at the end of the necklace. Close the jump ring.
You can also use more wrappings of silver wire as spacers between beads.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
