How to Make Necklaces

Making jewelry can be surprisingly easy once you learn the basics. With only a few tools and supplies, you are ready to begin to create a wide variety of jewelry. If you are just starting to make jewelry, why not start with a necklace? There are a few basic techniques to learn, and from there you can explore your creativity to see what you might come up with.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure Beading wire (.018 gauge) Two crimp beads Closure clasp Assorted beads Crimping tool Needle nose pliers Wire cutters

Instructions

1. Think about what kind of necklace you would like to create. Consider the size, color and composition you are hoping to create. Decide the length you would like and think about what kind of closure you would like to use.

2. Determine how long you would like your necklace to be. You could either measure around your neck or find a necklace you already have with a length you like and measure this.

3. Collect the beads you want to use and lay them on a work surface. Experiment with different arrangements until you have a design that you like. Keep in mind your measurement from step 2 when you are arranging your beads.

4. Cut a length of beading wire that is 3 inches longer than the measurement from step 2.

5. Add a crimp bead to one end of the beading wire. Pass the wire through a jump ring and back into the crimp bead. Make the loop through the jump ring small by pulling the short end of the beading wire taut. Crimp the crimp bead close to the jump ring with the crimping tool.

6. Add your beads to the other end of the beading wire according to your beading arrangement from step 3.

7. Add another crimp bead to the other end of the beading wire when the necklace is the desired length and all the beads have been added. Pass the wire through a jump ring and back into the crimp bead. Make the loop through the jump ring small by pulling the short end of the beading wire taut. Crimp the crimp bead close to the jump ring with the crimping tool. Trim off any excess beading wire to finish the second end of the necklace.

8. Add one half of the closure clasp to the jump ring on one end of the necklace using the needle nose pliers. Add the other half of the closure clasp to the jump ring on the other end of the necklace in the same manner to finish the necklace.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a basic method for making a necklace. Once you master this method you can make any number of variations of necklaces by using different colors and sizes of beads, different lengths of beading wire and different closures.