How to Make an X Necklace

X necklaces are popular because they are effective for displaying an especially beautiful focal bead. If you have only a couple of special beads that you are not sure what to do with, making an X necklace is a good choice. The length of an X necklace can vary from a choker length to longer. A novice jewelry-maker could complete this necklace project with only a little time, a few tools and supplies.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 6 feet beading wire (.018 gauge) Closure clasp Crimp beads Wire cutters Needle-nose pliers Beads Measuring tape

1. Cut two 36-inch lengths of beading wire with the wire clippers.

2. Place a crimp bead onto an end of one wire.

3. Pass the wire through the loop of one half of the closure clasp and then loop it back into the crimp bead.

4. Pull the wire taut and crimp the crimp bead with the needle-nose pliers.

5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 with the other wire.

6. Close the closure clasp.

7. Lay out your beads to arrange the design you wish for the necklace. Experiment with a few different designs to make sure you like what you have planned.

8. String the beads onto each wire according to your design.

9. Add one crimp bead to both wires together when the main part of the necklace is the length you desire.

10. Lay out the necklace so that you can make sure it looks right. Pull both wires tight through the crimp bead just strung and crimp the crimp bead with the pliers.

11. Add one large focal bead that is strung through both wires.

12. Separate the wires under the focal bead.

13. String beads onto each wire separately under the focal bead. You can make these wires as long as you wish and they can be the same length or different lengths.

14. Add a crimp bead to each wire.

15. String one more bead onto the wires after the crimp beads and thread the wires back through their respective crimp beads.

16. Pull the wires taut and crimp the crimp beads with the pliers to finish the X necklace.