On the Ball

Go for glamour with Gemma Gray's striking black and magenta accessories

Gemma Gray, MJ Designer

"For a perfect finish make sure the threaded chain is as full as possible"

Combine antique chain and shimmering pearls to create one of this season's hottest trends - the statement necklace! Not only is this project bang on trend, but the unusual technique of weaving chain onto eye pins to form structural and decorative links can easily be incorporated into other jewellery designs or used to make a beautiful matching bracelet.

Necklace

1. Cut one 78cm and three 12cm lengths of chain. Starting with the first link of a 12cm section, weave an eye pin through each link until there is 1cm of eye pin remaining. Trim any excess chain and form a loop in the end of the wire with round-nosed pliers. Repeat for the other two 12cm sections of chain.
2. Open a 5mm jump ring and attach it to one side of a chainwrapped eye pin and one end of the 78cm chain length. Close and then attach a second 5mm jump ring and the loose end of the chain to the other side of the eye pin.
3. Thread a 16mm magenta pearl onto an eye pin, trim to 1cm above the bead and form a loop in the end. Make another four magenta bead links in the same way, then fasten one of these to either side of the eye pin with the 78cm chain section attached.
4. Join a second chain-wrapped eye pin to the bottom of these bead links so that the pins lie parallel and attach a bead link to either end of the pin. Secure the third chainwrapped pin to the bottom of the bead links added. Hang the remaining pearl link onto the centre of the last chain-wrapped pin with a 7mm jump ring. Cut two 11cm, one 9cm and one 8cm lengths of chain.
5. Open a 7mm jump ring and slip through the end link of each piece, then the bottom loop of the central bead link. Close the jump ring and position it so that it sits in the centre of the bottom eye pin. Squeeze the pin into a ‘V’ shape to finish.

Earrings

1. Thread a 16mm magenta pearl onto a head pin, trim to 1cm above the bead and form a loop in the end. Attach this to one side of an eye pin. Cut a 12cm piece of chain and weave the eye pin through each link. Attach an earwire to the end to finish. Repeat to make a pair.