Paua & Crystal Necklace

• Combine a top-drilled paua shell pendant and crystal beads to make a necklace that will work for an evening out or a casual event. To make the necklace, you'll also need clear elastic beading cord, a clasp and jeweler's glue. You can alternate the crystal beads with two colors, styles and sizes. Select from 4-mm and 6-mm beads for an attractive necklace strand design that flows. To make an 18-inch necklace, cut 24 inches of clear elastic cording and thread the paua shell to the center. You can create the necklace strand on either side of your paua shell by threading the crystal beads on one side and then the other. Alternate the beads by color and size until both sides are complete, leaving 3 inches from the end of each side of the strand. Attach one half of the clasp to one side and tie a double knot in the cording. Thread the loose end of the cord back down through the beads. You can add a drop of jeweler's glue to the knot for added security. Add the other section of the clasp to the remaining strand and repeat the process.
  
  

Paua & Crystal Earrings

• You can make simple crystal-bead and paua-shell earrings to match your necklace with 4-mm crystal beads, earwires, headpins and round-nose pliers. You can add a smaller version of your paua shell pendant as the drop in your earrings and alternate the same colors and styles of the beads as in your necklace along the length of the headpin. Before you add the paua-shell drop, bend each headpin 90 degrees at the base so that the end of the pin will fall behind the paua shell. You can use your round-nose pliers to bend the pin. Add the shell and then the beads, leaving 1/4 inch at the top so you can make a loop for hanging the strand onto the earwires. Your round-nose pliers are perfect for making a small loop in the headpin and for opening and closing the loop on the earwires.