Berry Nice

Look cool this summer wearing Gemma Gray's necklace in juicy shades

Gemma Gray, MJ Designer

"I love the punchy colours in this necklace, which are perfect for brightening up any summer outfit"

During the hotter months, our thoughts may turn to all the tasty fruits that are now in season; strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and many more. These have also inspired our gorgeous colourpop necklace, with round wooden beads reflecting the current trend for more natural jewellery materials. Team with a sarong and bikini, then strut your stuff on the beach!

Necklace

1. Cut a 41cm length of heavy, silver-plated chain. Open a link at one end with round-nosed pliers, attach a bolt ring clasp and close. Repeat at the other side to add the accompanying tag. Make up 45 pink head pins, by first sliding on a small plain cup, followed by the beads of your choice, then another cup.
2. Trim the head pin, leaving 1cm and bend into a loop with round-nosed pliers. To create a chunky styled head pin, add a few beads of different sizes and shades. With the 15mm crimson wood beads, only use one per head pin, with a cup either side. Always put the plain cups at either end to create a more professional look.
3. To make black head pins, take two and thread a cup, one 4mm, a 6mm, an 8mm, a 6mm and a 4mm round on each one to create a tapered shape, finishing with a cup. Decorate another pin using a 10mm black bead with cups either side. For the last pin, use a cup, a 4mm, a 10mm and a 4mm round, followed by another cup. Trim and loop all the ends as before.
4. Attach the head pins to the chain with round-nosed pliers, adding the larger beads to the middle and working outwards. The smallest dangles should be at the ends to create a crescent shape. Make sure the crimson beads and the smaller black ones are spaced out evenly, with the two longest black pins towards the ends so they are quite prominent. The beaded section should take up 15cm in the centre of the chain.