Things You'll Need:
- Black or white towel
- Beads
- Sterling silver beads
- Sterling silver findings (clasp and jump rings)
- Sterling silver pendant
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Step 1
Choose a variety of beads to possibly include in the necklace. Select beads for the strand, silver beads, and silver findings. Lay out the beads on a black or white towel to keep them from slipping.
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Step 2
Study the beads to see which would work well together The beads may be made of semi-precious stone, glass, Swarovski crystal, shell, coral, or pearls, or even plastic, bone, horn, wood or resin. They may be dark or light, small or large. You may also want to include sterling silver spacer beads or Bali handcrafted silver beads, or even Thai Hill Tribe silver beads; these will help break up the design into sections.
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Step 3
Experiment with some interesting combinations. Note the value of contrast, in size and color and texture. Wood mixed with bone, lapis lazuli and sterling silver, or turquoise and pink coral all marry well in bead jewelry. Sparkly beads like Swarovski crystal or faceted amethyst go well with pearls or smaller dark opaque spacer beads. If you use pastel colored freshwater pearls, you may want to use antiqued silver instead of bright shiny silver, because they contrast better.
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Step 4
Pay attention to texture and weight in selecting beads. You don't want any rough edges in a beaded necklace because they can be uncomfortable against bare skin. You also don't want the necklace to be too heavy, especially if it is a choker style. And too much weight might actually break your stringing wire. Heavy beads should be alternated with light beads.
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Step 5
Be practical in choosing your beads. When you make your own jewelry, you might be tempted to go a little wild--and that's fine. Just make sure you have enough of the beads you choose to complete the project.
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Step 6
Remove the beads you don't want to use and lay out the beads in line with the sterling silver beads in the order they would be once strung.
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Step 7
Think up patterns for your jewelry design. Be wild and unconventional. Consider alternating beads, or alternating series of beads. You can even do an asymmetrical design for your beaded necklace, as long as it doesn't look too odd - just make sure the beads on each side weigh the same, or the necklace clasp will lean off-center.
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Step 8
Note the quality of each bead you handle. Place the better quality and more attractive beads in the center or near the pendant. Position any lesser quality beads higher up on the beaded necklace strand, but not right where the clasp is--beads right by the clasp get looked at carefully. Any truly defective beads, don't use in your design. One defective bead can ruin your entire silver bead necklace.
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Step 9
Place your pendant where it will go and then consider what beads you want flanking the pendant. Lay them out.
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Step 10
String your necklace, but don't fasten the clasp until you see how it looks strung. Sometimes even the most well-designed silver necklace will not look right when it's actually strung.
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Step 11
If necessary, start over again until you get the perfect jewelry design. When you do, you'll be rewarded by a necklace that is custom made to exactly your specifications. Congratulations! You have a beautiful new bead silver necklace. Plus, you're now a pro and can make your own jewelry whenever you want!
