How to Design Swarovski Jewelry

Swarovski crystal beads are a well-liked material for hobbyist jewelrymakers and crafters alike. Versatile and attractive, the beads can be used to create a wide range of jewelry, including bracelets, necklaces, rings, pendants, headdresses and earrings. The beads can be adapted to any design, as they are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, and they are easily manipulated to suit anyone's style. Making Swarovski jewelry is a popular project, and many prefer to see their own designs come into being rather than follow the premade patterns. To start designing your own Swarovski jewelry, follow these guidelines for a simple string style.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sketchbook
• Assortment of Swarovski crystal beads
• Beading thread
• Beading needle
• Clasps
• Thread conditioner
• Bead stopper
• Seed beads

1. Decide what kind of Swarovski crystal bead jewelry you would like to design. Bracelets and necklaces use a simple chain design, while pendants, rings and earrings will require a more complex three-dimensional style. String bracelets and necklaces will be easier for beginners.

2. Determine the size of the bracelet or necklace. Take out your sketchbook and begin drawing different styles and shapes of jewelry, keeping in mind that the more complex your jewelry is, the more beading skill you will have to develop. Think about adding loops, drops and multiple rows of beads. Consider how differently sized beads will look in the design, and whether you want to use uniform beads or alternate between sizes and styles.

3. Draw a to-scale version of your final design. Use the full version to determine what size of beads to buy and how many. Purchase your materials.

4. Cut the thread slightly longer than the desired length and apply the thread conditioner. Pull the thread through the beading needle. Leaving the extra space at the end, attach a bead stopper to the thread.

5. Pass the needle through the first bead and then each successive bead for straight rows. If you are using seed beads to separate the larger crystal beads, create bead units of seed-crystal-seed, tying off the thread at the end of each unit. If you are not doing straight rows and are starting with dangling shapes, work horizontally and then double-back to work vertically at each dangling point.

6. Finish the design basics before moving on to any complex shapes. As before, you will need to backtrack through the initial straight beads and weave stronger connections so that the weight of the beads is evenly distributed along the thread. For example, if you are making bead loops on a necklace, you should create each loop by threading the final bead to the first bead in the loop, and then run the thread back through the beads at the top of the loop.

7. Tie off the final bead and add your choice of closure to each thread end. Cut off all excess thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Smaller Swarovski beads create more delicate-looking jewelry, but interesting jewelry is often made from a combination of smaller and larger beads threaded in a pattern. Many three-dimensional shapes are made by threading rows of beads together by every other bead. For example, in a tubular shape, Bead 1 in Row 1 is attached to the second and final beads of Row 2. Bead 2 in Row 1 is attached to the third and second-to-last beads in Row 2. There are many starter patterns online for those wishing to learn the more complex shapes, which require a great deal of backtracking and thread weaving. See the Resources section for more information.

Resources

• Beaded Jewelry Projects
• How to Make a Swarovski Crystal Bracelet Video
• Create Your Swarovski Style
• How to Make a Swarovski Bracelet