Materials Needed: Collection of charms/pendants Large hole beads Findings with large holes Pony Beads Shank Buttons Chain lengths Beading/crochet/macramé cord (1-2mm) Torpedo or Barrel Clasp Clear nail polish or jeweler's glue

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Clustered Charm necklaces, because they are fairly free form, are more a concept than a pattern. Your choice of beads and/or charms will make yours unique. These instructions are merely guidelines, use your own creativity and imagination to invent your own creation.
   
2. Decide on the finished length of your necklace. You will need approximately 3-5 times that length in necklace cording. If your cording is thin, you may want to use three strands. Singe or glue ends of cord to prevent raveling. I used black in these examples, since that was all I had available, but you could also experiment with different colored cording. Just be sure it doesn't fray easily.
   
3. Decide on a color scheme, which can be anything you want. This is a great opportunity to try new/unusual combinations.
   

   This clustered charm centerpiece uses a vintage flower finding with a bead strung in the center, 2 vintage filigree findings, large holed beads, beaded charms, coiled metal beads, and vintage shank buttons, in golds and reds.

4. Begin by laying out your collection of charms, beads, buttons and other objects in a pleasing arrangement. Be sure that the bead holes or charm loops are large enough for your cord to go through. The design will probably be asymmetrical, but balanced. You may discard some of these as the design develops, but it's better to have too many things to incorporate, than too few. 
   

   A clustered charm collection: gemstone pendants, beaded charms, a shank button, and a button charm.

5. Starting with your most interesting or largest charm, string it on the beading cord and slide to the middle. Tie a knot above it. Begin stringing charms/beads/buttons on each side of the centerpiece, knotting after each addition.
   

   Centerpiece showing a gemstone pendant, glass heart pendant, large hole beads, etc.

6. Occasionally hold your piece up to your neck and see if the arrangement is becoming and hangs well. I usually end up with about a 6" centerpiece, and then skip about 2 1/2" of cord and knot a smaller accent on both sides. 
   

   Clustered charm centerpiece with side accents.

7. Shank buttons can be threaded on, slid over other beads/charms. Then knot close to the shank.
   

   First I strung the vintage beaded cluster and knotted against it, then the shank button was strung over the other beads, and knotted against the shank.

8. When you have decided that you have strung/knotted enough items, you are ready to add the clasp. I have found that barrel or torpedo clasps seem to work the best, but since this is free form, feel free to experiment with other types of closures, such as hook n eye, loop n button, toggle clasps, etc.
   
9. String on a pony bead, then thread your strand(s) through the loop on the clasp, knot tightly close to the clasp. Paint the knot with fingernail polish. Slip the pony bead over the knot, trim ends and paint with more fingernail polish. Make another knot close to the pony bead.
   

   Clasp detail showing a hook and eye clasp, the knots and pony beads.

10. Make sure the other side is the same length, and repeat step 9. 
    
11. I also go back over the necklace and put fingernail polish on any knots I can see to strengthen the piece.

Tips:

	I usually use plain overhand knots, but you can incorporate any kind of knot you desire. Just remember that fancier knots may use up more cord, so add extra length to be safe.
	If you are using three strands of bead cord, you can make interesting "stations" by stringing beads on one cord at a time, knotting to another cord, and repeating 2 more times.

Example of a knotted station. First I tied a knot with all three strands, and strung a pony bead. Then I separated the strands and strung beads on each strand, knotting to one of the other strands. I finished with a pony bead and another knot.

If you want to incorporate chain into your design, you can simply use a jump ring to attach it to the loop on the clasp. Shorten it to an attractive length and attach the other end to the other loop.

I had a dilemma with this necklace because I added so many charms/beads/buttons that it was too short! I solved that problem by attaching my clustered charm centerpiece to 2 large jump rings. I also attached the chain to these rings and then to the loops on the clasp.

	I use found objects, old charms, old pendants, parts of old jewelry, along with beads and handmade charms. You can make interesting charms from old post earrings by making a loop out of the post. You can also recycle other old jewelry parts by attaching a bail or a jump ring to it. Just make sure that it is big enough for your cord to go through. This centerpiece incorporates beaded charms, part of a vintage clasp, a coiled bead cap and a lampworked bead.
	Alternatively, you can make beaded charms out of interesting beads on headpins. Use similar colors, but different arrangements and lengths for interest. This gives you an opportunity to use lovely beads with holes too small for your cording. Trim the head pin and bend a loop on the end big enough for your cord to go through. This clustered charm centerpiece is almost entirely made of beaded charms.
	To make your designs more interesting, use a variety of materials, including glass, acrylic, lampworked beads, gemstone beads and pendants, wooden, metal, bone - anything and everything can work! Use new, vintage and found parts.
	After the necklace is strung, you can also sew smaller beads on the beading cord, such as seed beads, bugles, crystals, etc.
	These ideas can also be used to create bracelets, just use components on a smaller scale.

Please note: these instructions are copyrighted and may not be given, shared, or sold to anyone. When you purchased this bead kit, you have the right to use the instructions to create one item for your use. These instructions remain the property of Karleen Page and may not be used to manufacture products for sale. ©2003, Karleen E. Page, All rights reserved.

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