Sample Project from "Simply Pearls" with permission of Random House.

This design uses top-drilled "teardrop" pearls to create a "bigger" look - arranging these pearls so that they fall on opposite sides of the thread, gives each trio of small pearls the same effect as a single large pearl.

Single Strand Necklace

Tools: Wire Cutters, Crimping Pliers

Ingredients:

• Nineteen 8 to 9mm dyed blue freshwater "potato" shape pearls. A little less than half a 16" strand.
• Sixty 5mm by 6mm dyed green top-drilled teardrop pearls. About half a 16" strand.
• Two 4mm facetted blue rondel gemstone beads or Swarovski crystal
• Six 2.5mm sterling silver round beads
• Two sterling silver crimp beads
• One sterling silver toggle clasp
• 20" of beading wire

1. Start the necklace by threading on a crimp. Pass the beading wire through the ring of one clasp back through the crimp. Make sure that the beading wire is tight around the ring and squeeze the crimp shut. Add three silver beads to cover the tail of the beading wire and cut. Add the gemstone or crystal bead.
2. Now thread on three teardrop pearls and one potato pearl. Repeat this pattern 19 times or until the necklace is the length you wish. (Remember to try it around your neck to make sure.)
3. Add a final set of three teardrop pearls, then the other rondel and three silver beads and crimping bead. Bring the beading wire through the ring of the other side of the clasp and back through the crimp and silver beads. BEFORE YOU FINISH OFF THE NECKLACE BY CLOSING THE CRIMP, MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE TEARDROP BEADS ARE ARRANGED SO THAT THE MIDDLE ONE OF EACH TRIO IS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE TO THE OTHER TWO. Now tighten the necklace so there are no spaces between the beads, close the crimp and snip off any remaining beading wire.