How to Make a Seed Bead Cross Necklace
Seed beads are small, delicate beads that can be used to create intricate and extremely delicate pieces of jewelry. They are popular with people who like elaborate but discreet accessories. You will have to pay close attention because these beads are extremely small, but you can use them to make a beautiful seed bead cross necklace to wear yourself or give as a gift.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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How to Make a Seed Bead Cross Necklace
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1
Cut a length of wire. It should be about 10 inches if you want to make a small cross. Make it longer for larger crosses.
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2
Thread seed beads onto the wire. You should be able to poke the wire through the seed beads easily. Make a 1/3-inch bend in the end of the wire so that the beads do not fall off. You can string the seed beads in a random pattern or you can create a color design. When you have about 2 inches of bare wire left, stop stringing the beads onto the wire.
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3
Fold your bead wire into a cross. You can make your cross whatever design you want. The easiest way to fold the bead wire is to let the entire thing hang straight down. Bend your wire back up at the place that marks the length of your cross. When it reaches the point where you want the cross section to be, bend the wire to the left to create the left half of the crosspiece. As you do so, press the beaded wires together where they cross. The wire should slip in between the beads, which will hold it securely. Fold the crosspiece back across the middle and all the way to the right back across the center. Press down the overlap again. Now you have the entire crosspiece. Fold the wire back to the left, and when you reach the center of the cross, wrap the remaining wire under the crossed pieces of wire and up so that it matches up with the top area of beading.
You will see that you now have a beaded cross with each section of the cross being made of 2 lengths of beaded wire. -
4
Make the loop for the cross. You will have some wire left at the top of the cross, and you will also have that 1/3 inch of bare wire you used to keep the beads from falling off. Wrap the 1/3 inch of wire around the bare wire at the top of the cross. This secures all the seed beads so that they cannot fall off. Bend the longer piece of wire back down so that you have a wire loop and wrap the end of the wire around the bottom of the loop several times to hold it in place. When you reach the end of the wire, and then tuck that end under the loops so that your cross does not scratch you. Now you have created a seed bead cross charm.
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5
String the seed beads onto the craft cord. Using the needle and thin cord, string the seed beads onto the cord. When you reach the middle of the cord, you can thread your cross onto the cord. Then keep stringing seed beads until you have created a seed bead necklace of the length that you desire.
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6
Knot off the necklace. Use a square knot to secure the 2 ends of the necklace together. Now you have a beautiful seed bead cross necklace you can wear.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you prefer, thread your seed bead cross onto a leather cord for a simpler look.
