How To

How to Make Multi-Stranded Jewelry

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor
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Jewelry making is a very popular and relaxing pastime, allowing individuals to express their personal style through wearable art. When you are ready to move beyond the single strand of beads around your neck, multi-stranded jewelry is an excellent option. Beading multi-stranded jewelry is very similar to single-stranded, but there are some things to take into account as you design and finish your piece.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Crimp beads
  • Clasp
  • Jewelry pliers

    Designing the Jewelry

  1. Step 1

    Choose your style. There are many ways to create a multi-stranded bracelet or necklace, depending on the overall look you want. Popular styles include multiple strands of seed beads strung at the same length to create a bulky look, or two or three strands of special decorative beads at increasing lengths to create a layered look.

  2. Step 2

    Measure carefully. When using multiple strands, the measurements are very important. If you are creating a layered necklace, each strand must be an appropriate (and usually equal) distance from the last. If all your strands are the same length, remember the extra bulk can make the finished piece seem shorter. This can cause a short necklace to become a choker, or a bracelet to be too small for the wrist. When in doubt, measure an extra inch of wire or cord, and then check the size after the beads are on, but before finishing the piece.

  3. Step 3

    Assemble your jewelry. After each strand is beaded, you may find it helpful to wrap a small piece of scotch tape around the cord or wire to prevent the beads from falling off. In the case of larger beads that could slide over the tape, use small binder clips to clamp finished strands at the end.

  4. Finishing the Jewelry

  5. Step 1

    Gather the ends. When the entire piece of jewelry has been beaded, gather the finished ends together and arrange at the levels you want them to stay.

  6. Step 2

    Add a crimp bead and clasp. Carefully slide a crimp bead of appropriate size over all the strands of beading wire. When you are sure it is in the right place, add the clasp, loop the wire back through the crimp bead and tighten with jewelry pliers.

  7. Step 3

    Finish the other side. Just as you did with the first side, slide the crimp bead on. Then put on the other half of your chosen clasp, and finally, loop the beading wire through the crimp bead before sealing with pliers.

Tips & Warnings
  • Be careful when using tape or clips on your jewelry. Pay attention to how it lays to prevent kinks in the finished piece.

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