How to Make Beaded Wire Jewelry Using Simple Techniques for a Stunning Design
Few things bring you more pride in your appearance than when someone compliments you on something you made yourself. Making your own jewelry means the pieces are more affordable and original. Beaded wire jewelry is popular in today’s fashion scene and requires only a few simple techniques to create a stunning and attractive design. You can find the necessary supplies in many local craft stores and various big box stores.
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Things You'll Need
- Gold-tone link chain
- Wire nippers
- Toggle clasp
- Jump rings
- Needle nose pliers
- Hemostat
- Beads
- Gold wire
- Crochet hook
- Crimping tubes
Instructions
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1
Divide a 6-inch gold-tone chain into two equal lengths by cutting the center link with a pair of wire nippers. Connect one part of the toggle clasp to one end of each of the 3-inch chain lengths. Open a jump ring with a pair of needle nose pliers and a metal hemostat. Slip one piece of the toggle clasp and the last link in the chain on to the jump ring and use the pliers and hemostat to close the jump ring.
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2
String half of your beads on .3-millimeter gold beading wire. Add a gold-tone crimping tube to the wire. Wrap the end of the gold beading wire twice around the last link of one of the chain pieces on the side opposite the toggle. Use your pliers to twist the tail of the wire around the wire coming off the last link. Clip the tail after you have wrapped it three or four times around the wire and slide the crimping tube over the twisted tail and crimp it shut.
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3
Make a loop in the wire just below the crimping tube and insert a 3.25 millimeter crochet hook into the loop. Loop wire over the hook and pull that loop through the first loop to make your first crochet stitch. Pull the slack out of the wire so it is snug against the crimping tube. Chain stitch six loops in the wire, leaving stitches approximately 3.5 to 4 millimeters in diameter.
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4
Pull the first bead up and chain stitch around it. Chain stitch an empty loop and then chain stitch around the next bead. Repeat this pattern until you run out of beads. Chain stitch six empty loops. Clip the wire approximately 2 inches below the last chain stitch and add a crimping tube to the wire. Wrap the tail twice around the last link in the other length of chain, pulling the length of wire close to the crimping tube. Wrap the tail around the beaded side of the wire three to four times before clipping the excess off. Slide the crimping tube up over the wrapped wire. Stretch your stitches behind the crimping tube a little to take up any excess space.
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5
String the rest of your beads on to wire and begin crocheting another beaded section, leaving a 2-inch tail in front of your first stitch. Start with four empty loops before you begin the beaded stitch, empty stitch pattern and end with four empty loops after the last beaded stitch. Clip the wire 2 inches below the last stitch.
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6
Add a crimping tube to one end of the new section. Make a small loop in the middle of the tail and wrap the free end around the beaded end three to four times before clipping the tail and crimping the tube around the wrapped section. Repeat this on the other end of the beaded wire. Use a jump ring to connect one of the loops in the new beaded wire section with the third empty stitch in the first beaded wire section. Repeat this on the other end of the beaded sections to create a draped swag underneath the first section.
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Tips & Warnings
Using a heavier gauge wire will make it harder to crochet. It may also damage your crochet hook and your fingers.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
