Mod Squad

Use large chunky beads to make mel bandeira’s 60s-inspired jewellery set in vibrant red, white and black

Mel Bandeira, MJ Designer

Chunky beads and metal components give this jewellery set a glorious retro look!

For real wow-factor, mix large acrylic beads with funky wooden shapes and silver findings to create your very own mod-style double-stranded necklace and bracelet set. Easy to make and instantly glamorous, it's just the thing to see you through the coming season!

Necklace

1. Cut two 25cm lengths of nylon stringing cord. Thread a crimp onto one piece, followed by a single 3mm silver-plated jump ring. Thread back through the crimp and secure with flat-nosed pliers. Conceal with a silver-plated crimp cover. This will form the bottom strand of the necklace.
2. Thread in the following order: a 6mm silver-plated brass ball, an 8mm white miracle bead, a 12mm jet round, a small silver spiral bead, a 16mm red acrylic stone, a dark wooden octagon, a 25mm red miracle round, a 20mm black and white striped plastic bead, a 16mm white miracle round, another spiral, another 12mm round jet, an 8mm red miracle bead and finally a 6mm silver-plated brass ball. Place a crimp on the end, and thread through another 3mm jump ring as before, adding a cover.
3. Crimp the other length of nylon cord onto a 3mm jump ring as before. Then string: a 6mm silver-plated brass ball, a 8mm red miracle bead, a 10mm jet round, a small silver spiral, a 16mm white miracle bead, a 20mm black and white striped plastic round, a 22mm red acrylic, a 16mm red miracle bead, another spiral, another 10mm jet, an 8mm white miracle bead and a 6mm silverplated brass ball. Secure the end to a 3mm jump ring with a crimp.
4. Cut four 14cm lengths of silverplated chain. Place one 5mm silver-plated jump ring on each end. Add another jump ring to a clasp and secure to one pair of chains. Attach an extension chain to a further jump ring and use to join the other pair. Secure a set to each of the 11mm silverplated jump rings, slip on the beaded strands and secure.

Bracelet

1. Cut a 25cm length of nylon stringing cord and secure to a 5mm jump ring with a crimp. Add a crimp cover, then string on a 6mm silver-plated brass ball, 8mm white miracle bead, a 12mm jet round, a spiral, a 16mm red miracle bead, a dark wooden octagon, a 22mm red acrylic, a 20mm black and white striped plastic bead and a 16mm white miracle round.
2. Add another spiral, 12mm jet round, followed by a 8mm red miracle bead and 6mm silver-plated brass ball. Secure the other end to a jump ring in the same way as before. Attach a clasp to one side and an extension chain to the other with a jump ring.