Things You'll Need:
- Beadboard
- Beads
- Beading string or wire
- Beading needle
- Jewelry finishing
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Step 1
Select a bead board for the way you plan to design. There are different types of bead boards-some are for single strand, others for multi-strand pieces. Some have little trays on the board to hold your loose beads. Choose a board that best suits the types of jewelry you will be designing.
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Step 2
Use the markings to determine necklace length. A bead board has one or more long grooves in which you set the beads you will be stringing. On either side of the groove are numbers and markings. A long mark equals an inch. A short mark is half an inch. Use these markings to decide the approximate length of your piece.
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Step 3
Start your design. Once you've decided on length, select your beads and begin to arrange them in the bead board's groove. If you're using a pattern, arrange accordingly. If you're being creative, start with the beads you want as the focal point and place them roughly where you want them to be seen on the necklace.
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Step 4
Be creative! The real plus of a bead board is you can rearrange as much as you want until you have the design you like. Play with spacers, accent beads, freshwater pearls, and other jewelry elements to lay out your unique piece.
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Step 5
String your necklace carefully. You'll need bead string or wire and a bead needle for this. Make sure you select bead string, wire and a needle slender enough to fit through the bead with the smallest hole.
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Step 6
Place the necklace back in the groove to double check your length. Once beads are strung, the final piece may be a little shorter as there is no longer any space between beads. Remember to leave about an inch or so of empty bead string at either end to give you space to add a clasp or otherwise finish the piece.
