Beaded Fringe Bib Necklace

Hey friends!  I’ve got a gorgeous – and surprisingly easy – design to show you today.  This beaded bib necklace makes a big impact, looking like an upscale boutique piece, but if you have 30 minutes and you can use a pair of jewelry pliers, you can make this look yourself at a fraction of the cost.

My friends at Happy Mango Beads sponsored my shopping spree to design this necklace for you guys.  They’re a jewelry supplier whose mission is fair trade and eco-friendly offerings, and they have lots of options for ancient and ethnic beads as well.  You may have seen my sneak peek on Instagram already, but in case you haven’t – check out what I picked out this month!  I’m all about the Czech glass and pewter at the moment.

I’ll leave links to the exact supplies I used from Happy Mango Beads in the list below, in case you’re looking to make a purchase and try this design for yourself!  I don’t get a commission from your purchase, and this design is my own idea inspired by their products.  And with that said – let’s dig in, shall we?

• Multi-Hole Pewter Connector
• 30 – 11mm Spear Czech Glass Beads, Teal/Ivory Color (there are well over 30 per strand)
• 18 Inches 2mm Silver Rollo Chain, cut to two 9″ pieces
• 3o – 5mm 22 Gauge Silver Jump Rings
• 4 – 7mm 20 Gauge Silver Jump Rings
• 12mm Silver Lobster Clasp
• Chain Nose Pliers

A quick not about substitutions.  You may easily substitute another size or style of chain, clasp, or 7mm jump rings, however – 22 gauge is the largest gauge that will fit through the holes in these particular Czech beads.  Believe me, I tested several gauges so that you don’t have to! ;)

Assembly is simple!  It will take a little time, because you’ll be attaching 30 beads to the connector.  But you will simply twist open a 22-gauge jump ring with your chain nose pliers, slip it through the hole in the dagger shaped bead, and connect it through one of the holes at the bottom of the bib connector.  Twist the ring closed again, and repeat.  And repeat.  And… you get the idea!

I selected two-tone beads in turquoise and ivory.  Because each side was a different color, I opted to line up the teal side to the left, and the ivory side to the right.  This arrangement is optional, and totally unnecessary if you choose a bead that’s just one color.

Once you have connected all your dagger beads to create the fringe, connect a 9″ length of chain to each side of the connector with your larger 7mm jump rings.  At the end of each segment of chain, connect a final rump ring – adding a lobster clasp to one side before twisting it closed.

The short distance between the holes at the bottom of the bib give the necklace a nice full look!  And of course, you can choose any color or any length beads to match your style.  It’s the beauty of DIY jewelry – feel free to make it exactly your own!

Thanks for joining me to learn about this design – and hopefully, you put your own beaded fringe bib necklace into your jewelry collection this spring!  I’ll see you guys soon!