How to Make a Three-Tier Beaded Necklace

Make your own beaded jewelry to sell or as gifts.

Three-tier necklaces have three strands of beads in varying lengths, which drape gracefully on your neck. You can make your own triple-strand beaded necklace with a variety of assorted beads. The advantage to making your own necklace is that you have the option to choose the colors and types of beads you desire to coordinate with your wardrobe. Basic jewelry making skills are all you need to make your own triple-strand necklace. Create the necklace for yourself or make them as gifts for the holidays.

Things You'll Need

• Tigertail wire
• Jewelry wire cutters
• Three-hole toggle clasp
• 6 crimp beads
• Crimping tool

Instructions

1. Cut three pieces of tigertail wire in 20-, 22- and 24-inch lengths, using jewelry wire cutters.

2. Attach the ends of the three wires to a three-hole toggle clasp. Thread each wire through a loop, in order from smallest to largest. Bend the wire about 1/2 inch around each loop, thread a crimp bead onto the other end of the wire, and pull the crimp bead over the bent wire. Crimp the beads using a crimping tool, pressing once to flatten the bead and create a dent in the center. Crimp again to fold the bead in half. The dent created by the tool will help ease the folding of the bead in the second crimp to create the rounded bead. Press the bead flat to secure.

3. Thread the beads onto the jewelry wire and then attach the end of wire to the other piece of clasp, one at a time. You can use beads of a similar size or vary the sizes from strand to strand. Leave at least 1 inch on the end of each wire when beading.

4. Thread a crimp bead onto the wire.

5. Thread the end of the wire through the loop on the other piece of the clasp, bend in half and pull the wire through the crimp bead. Pull the wire until the clasp is flush with the beads. Crimp the bead with the bead tool to create the dent, and then crimp again to fold the bead in half to create a rounded bead. Press to flatten the bead.

6. Cut off any excess wire with the wire cutter.

Tips & Warnings

• You can purchase three-hole toggle clasps at local or online craft and jewelry supply stores. Three-hole toggle clasps have the hook and eye clasps on one side and three holes for attaching the necklace wires on the other.