How to Choose Beads and a Pattern for Beaded Jewelry

Are you looking to make some beaded jewelry, like a necklace, bracelet or earrings? What about a jewelry set, like a matching bracelet and anklet set? Whatever your goal, your beading choices are important.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Beads
• String or wire
• Clasps (if necessary)

1. Decide what jewelry you want to make. Your beading choices may be surprisingly different for a necklace being made on its own versus a necklace that is being made to match a bracelet.

2. Purchase the necessary beads for your jewelry. Choose similar types: all glass beads, all metal, or whatever else you want to use in order to make your jewelry look cohesive. Make sure to purchase more beads than you will actually need in case you lose some or want to make a matching piece of jewelry.

3. When choosing a special bead, gem or jewel for the center of your jewelry, make sure it matches the overall theme and style of your beads. You want it to stand out, but still match.

4. If you want to make a single piece of beaded jewelry that will not match other jewelry, you have a lot of options as far as patterns go. It is important to first decide if you would like to use a repeating pattern or a pattern that has a center point or a few center points. A repeating pattern is easier, because you simply need pools of each bead that you need. A pattern with a center point is more difficult because you will need to map the whole thing out in advance.

5. If you plan to use a repeating pattern for your beaded jewelry, you can always make extra pieces (like a matching bracelet for a necklace) because the pattern simply repeats. If you create a necklace with a center point, it may be more difficult to make a matching bracelet because that same center jewel or bead may look silly or not sit correctly on a bracelet.

6. To create a repeating pattern, make sure you have enough of each bead that you want to use, and cut your beading wire or string to about three inches longer than you want the jewelry to be. Place the beads in piles in the order in which you would like to use them. Take your wire or string, and fasten a clasp to one end if necessary. If you are using stretchy material and do not need a clasp, make a knot at one end of the string. Then, begin stringing your beads one by one until you have a few inches of string left. Affix a clasp to that end or tie off the end of the stretchy string.

7. For a pattern with a center point, lay out your beading string or wire in the appropriate size, allowing extra string to fasten any necessary clasps or to tie the ends. Lay out each bead one by one for your entire piece of jewelry to ensure that you have enough beads. Next, tie one end of the string or apply a clasp. Begin beading. Make sure that the center bead is at the center point of your necklace when you get to that point. If it is not, you'll have to add additional beads or redo the first half of your necklace to ensure that the center bead is in the right place. Once that is done, make sure to alter the beads on the other side as well so the two sides of the necklace are identical.

8. Make sure your clasps are properly applied so your jewelry does not break open at the edges. If possible, cut the remaining string or wire at the ends of your jewelry short or tuck them into the last few beads on each end of your jewelry.

Tips & Warnings

• Always tie your ends tightly to avoid them breaking and the beads falling off.
• Use double string or wire in order to make your beaded jewelry stronger.

[voliegurl]

on 12/21/2008 What a great gift idea!

[Mindee94]

on 12/21/2008 These are great instructions. Going to share this one with my DD. Thank you.

[lopez-n]

on 12/20/2008 Thanks for sharing, and for the comment. God bless