This sweet Valentine’s necklace is built from a repeatable heart component in 6/0 seed beads. The finished strand alternates single‑color hearts: one heart in Neon Lined Pink 6/0 (UV‑reactive), then one heart in Terra Intensive Dark Pink 6/0. Bead sizes are listed in metric/aught; all cutting lengths include metric + inches for easy reading.
Materials & Tools
- PRECIOSA Neon Lined Pink (UV) 6/0 — for hearts A, C, E, ...
- PRECIOSA Terra Intensive Dark Pink 6/0 — for hearts B, D, F, ...
- Nylon beading line ≈ 0.20 mm; cut 80 cm (≈31.5 in) per heart ≈ 0.20 mm; cut 80 cm (≈31.5 in) per heart
- Beading needle; scissors; flat/round‑nose pliers
- Optional necklace finish: jump rings, lobster clasp, extender chain 40–50 cm (16–20 in)
Difficulty: ●●○ Technique: beadweaving
Step‑by‑Step — Make One Heart (single color)
- Base ring. Cut 80 cm (≈31.5 in) of 0.20 mm line. String 4× 6/0 in your chosen color and tie into a snug ring; weave through the ring once or twice to reinforce.
- Second row. Add 1× 6/0 (same color) between each base bead (total 4 added) to form a tidy square.
- Build the sides. Working from one corner, string 3× 6/0 (same color) and pass through the opposite corner bead from the second row to create a side bar. Repeat on the remaining sides; on the last add‑on, also pass through one bead from the previous add‑on to lock the frame.
- Form the point. Stitch through every other bead along the side‑bars so a tidy point forms at the bottom. (You’re essentially skipping the top bead in each trio.)
- Outer arcs. String 7 beads (same color) and stitch through the next corner bead at the top to form one arc; repeat once more for the second arc. For firmness, stitch around both arcs again.
- Weave off. Sew ends into nearby beads and trim. Your heart is ready!
Assemble the Necklace
Make hearts in alternating colors (Neon Lined Pink, then Terra Intensive Dark Pink, and repeat). Connect adjacent hearts with short beaded links or jump rings so each arc kisses the next. Finish with a clasp and extender to your preferred length 40–50 cm (16–20 in).
Variations
- Two‑tone: keep the base red and swap the arcs to Neon Lined Coral, Orange, or Violet for a gradient necklace.
- Earrings: make two single hearts; hang from 4–5 mm rings and ear hooks.
- Bracelet: string 5–7 hearts on cord with 6/0 spacers to fit 16–19 cm (6.3–7.5 in) wrists.
Design credit: Preciosa Ornela / Jana Shweiki. Instructions adapted and paraphrased for clarity for the Shipwreck Beads blog.
