How to Make Illusion Beads

Illusion beads are necklaces or bracelets strung on clear cord. These cords are made of silk or plastic. Silk is more pliable, but plastic is more sturdy. The best beads to use for illusion jewelry are brightly colored glass or faceted plastic. These catch the light and aid the illusion that the beads are floating around your neck or wrist.

There are two ways to secure the beads on the cord. The first is to string the bead onto the cord and squirt glue into the bead's opening. The second is to string the beads between seed beads with holes small enough to grip the cord very tightly. Seed beads are very small beads about the size of a mustard seed or the round head of a stick pin. Determine which seed beads to use by comparing the hole measurements on the package with the cord measurements. They should be very close, with the hole being very slightly larger.

You will also need crimp beads. These are the same size and shape as seed beads and usually made of metal. They are not a complete circle, like other beads. One side of a crimp bead is open so that it forms an incomplete ring that is easy to pass a cord through several times. They are used to attach clasps to necklaces and bracelets.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Glass or plastic beads
• Clear cord
• Seed beads
• Clasp
• Crimp beads
• Pliers
• Scissors
• Flexible tape measure

1. Measure around your neck or wrist with the flexible tape measure. For chokers and bracelets, add 2 inches to the resulting measurement. For longer necklaces, add 6 to 8 inches to the neck measurement.

2. Unroll and snip off the necessary amount of cord. String on one or two crimp beads and one side of the clasp. Fold the cord in a loop around the ring of the clasp. Thread the cord back through the crimp beads so that they hold the loop closed. Push the crimp beads up the cord, close the clasp and crush them closed with the pliers.

3. Thread one crimp bead onto the cord. It should fit very tightly and be hard to move. String on a glass or plastic bead and another seed bead. The glass or plastic bead should be held in place by the seed beads.

4. Continue stringing beads this way until the piece is finished. Use a finger or thumb to space beads apart and leave some cord showing. When worn, the cord will be invisible.

5. Attach the other side of the clasp to the piece, as in Step 2.

Tips & Warnings

• Glue the plastic or glass beads in place for added stability.

References

• Floating Illusion Necklaces
• Gluing Beads to a Cord
• Floating Necklaces with Seed Beads