Buzzy Bee Necklace Tutorial

Created by: Kayla Hefling

Designer Tips

Inspired by the mood jewelry of the '60s and '70s, Mirage Beads™ are thermo-sensitive polymer beads that change color with small temperature changes.
Separate the bee beads and coral bead groupings by a repeating pattern of 8mm round glass, gemstone or pearl beads to form a symmetrical design.
Uses 10 branch coral beads in each grouping.
String on beading cable. See: Beading Cable Technique Sheet (PDF)

This design originally used 8mm round fiber optic beads in black and dark blue (no longer available). A few possible subs are linked in -- maybe sodalite & lapis, or Swarovski crystal pearls in Dark Lapis & Mystic Black? Or your favorite 8mm beads from your bead stash.

Did we mention our favorite part? The Mirage beads change color with temperature changes!

Suggested Supplies

1 strand [use 40] #20-565 Bead, Bamboo Coral, Short Branch
2 each #28-684-44 Bead, Ceramic, Bumble Bee, Tiny
1 each #28-644 Handmade Ceramic Honeybee Bead (not always available)
1 strand [use 28] #21-948-037 Bead, Fiber Optic, 8mm Round
1 strand [use 16] #21-948-601 Bead, Fiber Optic, 8mm Round
1 spool [use 23"] #61-813-19-87 Beadalon® Wire, 19 Strand, 0.015", 30' Spool
1 each #39-152-08-GM TierraCast Gunmetal Toggle Clasp, Classic
1 0.1 ounce [use 2] #41-256-52-9 Crimp Bead, Smooth, "Size 2"
1 strand [use 4] #27-398-18 Mirage Bead™, Honey-Bee