How to String Polymer Clay Beads on Wire

Using a wire to string your beads is the easiest way to make a polymer clay necklace. The wire serves as a needle and goes easily around a bead design board, so threading the necklace becomes a snap.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Arrange the beads as you want them to appear on the necklace on a bead design board.

2. Put the wire around your neck to determine the length of your necklace. Cut the wire with scissors. Leave 2 inches on each side to allow for the closure.

3. String one end of the wire through a crimp bead.

4. Add a closure to one end of the wire after threading it to the crimp bead. Leave a length of wire after adding the closure so that you can bring the end back up through the crimp bead.

5. Close the crimp bead with a pair of needlenose pliers. Press the pliers tightly until the crimp bead flattens. This closes off one end of the wire and holds the closure in place.

6. Take the other end of the wire and string it through all the beads on the bead design board.

7. Check your beads as you go, making sure the necklace follows your design.

8. Insert the other end of the closure to the wire to finish off the necklace.

Tips & Warnings

• To add both closures after stringing your necklace, use a bead stopper on one end of the necklace to make sure that the beads do not fall off as you string them.