Description
I designed the Snow White necklace for a fairy-tale themed issue of Bead and Jewellery magazine. My design inspiration came from the little Polymer Clay apple suspended from the pendant. I was shopping on Dizzy Beads for some other materials and I stumbled upon these cute little apples.
At the time, I was also trying to come up with an idea for the magazine issue. So, somehow apples associated themselves with Snow White. Of course, the apple in the story was poisoned by Snow White’s step-mother. So, this led me to think about the famous ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall’ scene which of course lies behind the Step-mother’s jealousy. Now I had two elements of the story, I had the idea for the pendant. Using a Swarovski Rivoli, I created ornamentation to represent the mirror frame.
The final section, the chain, represents the forest where Snow White was initially taken to die. In beading terms, this gave me the opportunity to try a new variation on a Herringbone spiral. Spiral ropes are always handy for hanging pendants! So, in this way, the Snow White necklace evolved.
Important Information about the Snow White Necklace
This beading pattern for the Snow White necklace uses a few different techniques. You will learn how to use Right Angle Weave and tubular Peyote to capture the Rivoli. This is a 27mm Swarovski Rivoli, so it is amazing to work with.
The little apple embellishment is not obligatory. I used it because it turned my necklace from ‘just another necklace’ into the Snow White necklace to fit the theme. However, if you leave off the apple and maybe change the colouring, this design becomes a simply lovely piece of jewellery.
Moving on to the colouring: I mixed green seed beads with bright coloured beads as I was thinking of flowers in a forest. Of course, Snow White was sent to the forest to die, so the original fairy-tale is probably a rather darker affair. I was thinking about the happy new life she found there with the Dwarves, so decided to create a bright, magical forest. The effect you see in the detailed gallery shot is spiral tubular herringbone with a clever embellishment. It is actually easier to do than it may look.
I finished the necklace with a shop-bought hook clasp. You could also consider using a beaded clasp if you wish.
So, I have suggested this project is suitable for intermediate to advanced beaders. In fact, the instructions are so clear, with step-by-step photos and diagrams, that I think anyone could follow this. So, adapt the design to your taste and enjoy working with some seed beads and sparkle!
