How to Make Crystal Jewelry

Crystal Necklace

Designing and making your own crystal jewelry offers a way to express your creativity with color and style. Crystal beads and prisms from Swarovski have a particularly unique sparkle. You can find these and other crystals, tools and supplies at your local craft store or from online retailers. Easily make necklaces, bracelets and earrings with these step-by-step instructions.

Things You'll Need

• 1 teardrop crystal prism
• (36) 8mm crystal bicone beads
• 1 tube of 10mm seed beads
• 1 tube of crystal bugle beads
• Stretchable beading string
• 2 clasps
• 2 earring wires
• 2 long earring pins
• Needle-nose pliers
• Wire cutters

Instructions

Make a Crystal Necklace

1. Cut a 25-inch length of beading string. Thread the teardrop crystal prism to the halfway point. Thread one 10mm seed bead on either side of the crystal. Alternate three bicone-shaped beads with three 10mm seed beads on either side of the crystal. Your crystals can be any color you'd like, with complimentary or matching seed beads.

2. Thread one crystal bugle bead on either side of your last seed bead. The bugles should be a different color from the crystal bicones to add contrast to your jewelry. Add another seed bead on each side. Continue threading the bugle beads alternately with seed beads on both sides until you reach the end of your string. Leave 1/2 inch on each end free of beads.

3. Thread one half of the clasp on one side of your necklace. Tie the string together in a double knot adjacent to the clasp. Repeat this step on the other side of your necklace with the other part of the clasp. Thread the leftover string back down into the crystal bugles and seed beads of your necklace.

Make a Crystal Bracelet

1. Cut a 9-inch section of stretchy beading string. Tie half of the clasp onto one end securely with a double knot.

2. Thread 24 crystal bicones alternately with seed beads along the length of the string, leaving 1 inch at the end. The first few beads should be threaded over the excess string left over from tying the knot.

3. Add the other side of the clasp, and tie it securely. Thread the excess string into the bracelet beads.

Make Crystal Earrings

1. Thread one seed bead on one of the earring pins, followed by a crystal bicone bead. Thread another seed bead, followed by a bugle. Repeat this pattern two more times (seed-bicone-seed-bugle) for one earring. End with a seed bead.

2. Hold the needle-nose pliers 1/2 inch away from the last seed bead, and twist the wire to form a hook. Cut off the excess wire. Open the earring wire with your needle-nose pliers. Slide the hook of the bead wire over the earring wire. Close the earring wire.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for the other earring.

Tips & Warnings

• Make shorter jewelry by cutting less string or adding fewer crystals.

• Be careful snipping the excess wire from the earrings; those little bits can fly.

Resources

• Beading Supplies