How to Make a Multi-String Beaded Necklace

A multi-string necklace of beads or pearls can add a statement to your wardrobe. Whether of one color or a variegated color mix that will allow you to wear it with more than one outfit, the multiple strands can dress up and lend elegance to the simplest outfit. While most necklaces of this type tend to hang higher on then neck, creating one yourself allows you to choose the length you are most comfortable with.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Beads or pearls Flexible beading wire 2 eye pins Clasp 2 cone findings 2 jump rings Crimp beads and crimping tool Jewelers glue Needle-nose pliers

1. Gather your choice of beads, pearls, gemstones or crystals along with the findings and clasp you will need. Spend some time designing your necklace. Lay out the beads the way you'd like them to look. This is the time to also decide how you want your necklace to lay. Do you want all the strands to be the same size? Do you want to stagger the lengths so they will hang at different levels?

2. 
   Eye pin from firemountaingems.com

   Cut the first length of wire to the size you desire. Thread one crimp bead on the wire. Taking one eye pin, thread the wire through the eye pin, and then pass it through the crimp bead again. Pull the crimp bead to about 1/8 inch from the eye pin opening, leaving about a 1-inch tail of wire. Place a small dot of glue inside the crimp. Use the crimping tool to close the bead.

3. String small beads over the wire, including the tail. String the rest of your first strand design. End the strand with the same number of small beads and one crimp bead. Thread the wire through another eye pin and back through the crimp bead and some of the small beads.
   Place the crimp bead so that it is about 1/8 inch from the eye pin opening. Make sure the beads are tight but not so tight as to be rigid. Place a drop of glue inside the crimp bead, then crimp it closed with the crimping tool. Trim excess wire close to the last bead threaded.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until you have the number of strands required for your design. Remember to cut your wire to different lengths if that is what your design calls for.

5. 
   A cone is used to combine the strands.

   String one cone onto one eye pin, with the wide part first. Bend the eye pin wire so that it forms a loop, and wrap it around itself. Open one jump ring and place it on the loop formed from the eye pin. Thread half of the clasp on the jump ring as well. Close the jump ring. Repeat on the other side.

Resources

• Fire Mountain Gems