Hearts and Flowers

Get romantic with susie Johns’ rose-themed jewellery for brides and bridesmaids

Susie Johns, MJ Designer

“I love adding a subtle splash of colour to a white wedding. roses sprang instantly to mind when thinking of bridal bouquets, while the hearts symbolise love, of course”

This set is perfect for those wanting a DIY wedding with a consistent theme. The découpage choker and bead necklace with heart pendant could be worn by a bride or matron of honour, while the beaded hair band and bangle are just the thing for young bridesmaids. For the bride's mother, why not whip up a pretty rose corsage, or make a whole set for the guests to be worn as keepsake buttonholes.

Heart Necklace

1. Cut four, 50cm lengths of strong thread and attach four ends to a small jump ring, using crimp beads to secure each strand in place. Thread 12 pink seeds onto each thread, then pass all four through a silver disc. String a further 12 pink seeds onto each strand, followed by 12 clear crystal seeds, then another 12 pink seeds, 12 clear seeds and 12 pink seeds before passing all four threads through a second silver disc.
2. Repeat the colour sequence of seed beads then pass the threads through a third disc bead to which you have attached a heart pendant using one small and one large jump ring. Repeat the sequence of beads in reverse to make the other side of the necklace. Attach each end to a small jump ring as before, held in place with crimp beads.
3. To fasten the necklace, pass a 40cm length of ribbon through both jump rings and tie in a bow. This necklace measures 43cm; if you want it to be shorter or longer, simply use fewer or more beads at either end.

Hair Band

1. Thread a beading needle with strong thread and attach the end to the centre of a hair band; this will be the top of the design. Refer to the beading chart provided below. For the first row, pass six clear seeds, nine pink seeds, then another two clear seeds onto the thread, then pass the needle through the edge of the fabric on the other side of the band.
2. Take the thread around the back and pass the needle through the edge of the fabric, about 2mm from where you first attached it. Now thread the appropriate beads for the second row. You will be starting at the centre of the design and working outwards, following the chart provided.
3. Once you have completed the first half, start again at the first row and work outwards in the other direction to complete the second half of the chart. Cover the remaining surface of the band with rows of clear crystal seeds, adding fewer and fewer on each row as the band becomes narrower. To edge the band, thread 10 pink seeds at a time onto the needle and pick up a little of the fabric on the edge of the band as you go.

Beaded Bangle

1. This is decorated in the same way as the hair band. Bind the bangle with plain white fabric before beading and the edges can be finished with pink seeds as before, or with some narrow gold braid as shown here.

Rose Corsage

1. Simply stitch a cluster of three small ribbon roses in the centre of a large pink fabric rose. Sew a brooch pin back or hair clip to the underside of the flower, adding a few lengths of ribbon if preferred.

Rose Choker

1. Glue seven rose pictures to thin card to make them sturdier, then cut to fit exactly inside individual square settings. Fix in place with a few spots of glue, then flood the surface with Diamond Glaze and leave on a flat surface until completely dry.
2. Thread a beading needle with a double length of strong thread and attach a large jump ring to one end, using a crimp bead to hold it in place. String 15 clear pink rocailles onto the thread, then divide into two separate strands and, threading one strand at a time, add nine more pink beads, one pearl disc, one silver disc, another pearl disc and a pink rocaille, before passing the needle through one of the channels of a square setting.
3. Continue, adding one pink rocaille, one pearl disc, one silver disc, another pearl and another pink rocaille between each setting. Repeat with the other strand, then form the other end of the necklace to match the first. Thread with narrow ribbon and use this to tie the ends together. The finished choker should measure 42cm; if you want it to be shorter or longer, simply adjust the amount of beads at either end.