Juicy Fruits

It's cool to be kitsch with Corinne Bradd's funky strawberry and apple accessories

Corinne Bradd, MJ Designer

“Adding loops of beads to necklaces gives an extra dimension to your work. This technique works with many types of bead and the end result is far more interesting than plain stringing”

Impress your friends and create a knock-out necklace, bracelet and earring set using simple stringing techniques and a selection of rainbow coloured rocailles and fruity shapes! An ideal project for beginners or those looking for a quick jewellery making fix, this clever design not only looks fantastic but is kind on the purse strings too! Team with a plain vest top or T-shirt for maximum impact.

Necklace

1. Cut a 1m length of nylon beading thread and thread a wooden strawberry bead onto the centre. Add seven different rocailles and pearls onto the thread at either side, ensuring the pattern is symmetrical.
2. Place another pearl onto one side of the thread and pass the other end through this bead in the opposite direction, joining the beads in a loop over the top of the wooden strawberry. Add seven more small beads onto one thread and then a pearl as the joining bead.
3. String on seven different rocailles and pearls after the joining pearl in the same pattern as step 1, followed by a wooden apple bead, then another seven small beads. Take the thread through the joining pearl at the beginning of the sequence, creating a loop above the apple bead.
4. Continue adding fruit beads and loops to either side of the necklace in this way (alternating between strawberries and apples) until you have used nine wooden beads in total.
5. String a repeating pattern of rocailles and pearls to each side of the necklace until it is the desired length. Knot the ends of the nylon tightly to the rings of a clasp and secure with a dab of glue. Allow the adhesive to dry, thentrim away any excess thread to finish.

Bracelet

1. Tie a 60cm length of nylon thread to one side of a clasp and glue the knot to secure. Thread on four rocailles and a red pearl to act as a joining bead. Add on seven more assorted rocailles and pearls before threading on a wooden fruit bead. Repeat the bead pattern in reverse before passing the thread through the joining pearl to create a loop above the wooden shape.
2. Thread seven more small beads onto the thread. Add a red pearl as the joining bead and repeat the bead pattern from before. Continue in this way until the bracelet is a comfortable fit around your wrist. Knot the end of the nylon tightly to a clasp and secure with a dab of glue. Allow to dry and trim any excess.

Earrings

1. Cut a 20cm length of nylon thread and thread a wooden strawberry bead onto the centre. Thread on seven different beads (an assortment of rocailles and pearls) onto either side of this, ensuring the pattern is symmetrical. Add another pearl onto one side of the thread and pass the other thread through this bead in the opposite direction, joining the beads in a loop over the top of the wooden shape.
2. Thread seven more small beads onto one side of the thread and pass the other end back through these and also through the joining bead again. Pull tight to create a second smaller loop above the first. Knot the two ends of thread together and secure with a dab of glue. Allow to dry, then trim away any excess. Attach an earring wire to a jump ring and hook the same ring onto the small beaded loop. Repeat to make a pair.