To begin you will need the following materials:
A free standing embroidery design
For a design to be labeled *free standing* it must have intersecting stitches all over the design that connect all elements of the design and a very stable border stitch outlining the entire design (satin stitch works best). If a design is labeled *free standing* then it should work with no problems. If the design isn't labeled as such, but you really like it, look at it real closely to see if you can find any *breaks* that would cause the design to fall apart when the stabilizer is removed. If it passes this *eye* test, try a test stitch out. If most of the design is fine, but a couple of places *disconnected* when you washed away the stabilizer, you still can salvage the design if you have editing software. Just put a satin stitch border all around the design or some intersecting lines behind the design. I have found that some densely stitched designs done in step stitch will also work, but you might have to do a little fixing by hand with a hand needle with some of the embroidery thread to secure a section that might come apart with wear.
Water soluble stabilizer
All water soluble stabilizers are not created equal! If you intend to make several of these necklaces, I highly recommend using badge master. I have tried all the brands I can find, and none of them do as good a job for this type of embroidery. It has the stability you need - especially if you intend using metallic threads - yet washes out the quickest and easiest with the least rinsing and rubbing. If you don't want to invest in this type of stabilizer, any water soluble type will do. If it is thin, just use several layers. If you notice when you are stitching the design that a hole forms in the stabilizer, just stop your machine and insert a small scrap of stabilizer underneath the hole.
Beading thread
Beading thread has a certain twist and finish that allows it to be pulled through many beads many times and yet still maintains its strength. To get started, any thread labeled *beading* in an arts and crafts store is fine. If you intend to do a lot of beading, I recommend Nymo thread. Some people use fine fishing line (I did when I started beading) but it is very difficult to knot securely.
Beading Needles
Beading needles are so much fun!!! Usually your first reaction is "You expect me to get THIS thread in THAT hole????". In addition to buying a pack of beading needles, I recommend buying a needle threader. They sell them made especially for the tiny eyes of beading needles. The most common sizes of beading needles are size 10 and size 12 (the finer of the two). Unless you are using extremely tiny beads, I recommend the size 10. They have enough substance that you can grab them and they don't bend easily as you use them.
Seed beads or Delica beads
Delica beads are the premiere small bead for making jewelry. They are made in Japan and are known for the consistency of their size and the gorgeous array of colors. They are a little smaller than the same numeric size of regular glass seed beads. If you are making a special necklace, I highly recommend them. Regular glass seed beads are also beautiful and come in an array of colors. I recommend size 11. As the number gets smaller, the bead gets bigger. It is nice to combine sizes. Unless you have fantastic eyes and a lot of patience, I wouldn't recommend buying any bead smaller than a size 11. For this pink dragonfly, I have used *hex cut* seed beads. They have an irregular shape and a lot of sparkle.
Various larger beads of your choice
My two favorite larger beads for these necklaces are Czech fire polished crystals and all kinds of gold beads. Czech fire polished crystal are less expensive than the Swarovski crystals, but have a beautiful shine and come in many colors. They also have *metallicized* versions that have a thin metallic coating on part of the beads. These really shimmer! Any beads that go with your embroidery are Ok to use. Beads come in glass, plastic, bone, wood, ceramic, gemstones - the list is endless. I recommend going to www.firemountaingems.com. The have a fantastic selection and excellent prices.
A necklace clasp
There are many variations of clasps. They require different techniques for attaching them to your necklace. I am going to demonstrate using my favorite kind that has a coil attached to a small chain and lobster claw hook. But, I will give hints how to apply these techniques to other types. Because I have long hair and clasps tend to get caught in it, I make my longer necklaces without clasps so I can just slip them over my head.
	Let's get started.............!