Links of the Lotus Necklace

Workshop Information

Stitch an elegant lotus from seed beads and metal links! The lotus is a fascinating plant with a long, rich history. Lotus plants grow in ponds, flood plains, and slow-moving rivers, anchoring their roots to the mud at the riverbed and rising up to six feet through the water to bloom at the surface. Several varieties of lotus are cultivated both for consumption and ornamentation, as its flowers display remarkable beauty and symmetry. As a plant that both survives and thrives in the murky water of a flooded river, it's no wonder that the lotus flower has become a key spiritual symbol across many diverse faiths.

To create this necklace, you'll combine metal lotus links with networks of seed beads and a dash of crystals. This project uses unusual thread paths to accommodate the metal links, as well as bits of netting and peyote. Once the metal pieces are secured, the rest of the individual components come together elegantly and quickly as you bezel the crystals and add the embellishment beads. You'll use a variation on right-angle weave (RAW) to connect the individual components together, and finish the necklace with a matching beaded chain.

Prerequisites: Students should be experienced in CRAW and peyote stitch, and should be comfortable working with size 15° seed beads.

Skill level: Intermediate