Arte Es Vida

My son found this tiny heart shaped lock on a recent thrift store jaunt, and I couldn’t resist using it in a jewelry project!

Supplies:

seed beads in red and white

faceted black glass beads (6)

diary sized lock and key (or key and heart charms)

clasp (I used a toggle clasp)

tube crimps (2)

stringing material (tiger tail or heavy weight monofiliament)

Directions:

This is a very simple, fun project…a great beginer’s project for kid’s too (feel free to substitute larger beads for smaller fingers to work with)! You can use crimp one half of your clasp at one end of your beading material and follow the bead count in the picture, or you can start from the middle which gives you some flexibility in altering the length to best fit your needs.

(If you are new to using crimps, check out this tutorial for some great photo examples).

If starting from middle, thead on your lock and key (or use small heart and key charms in it’s place). Add a faceted black bead on either side to keep the lock from sliding over the length of the necklace.

Thread ten red beads up on both sides. Follow with five white, five red, five more whie, and ten red again. Repeat this pattern and then add another black facet bead before repeating the pattern again. I’ve added a black facet bead after every two lengths of pattern. This gives the necklace a better drape (since the seed beads on their own are so light) and a little visual contrast in the pattern!