How to Make Spiral Rope Bead Necklaces
Spiral rope beading is also known as beading a DNA strand. This simple beading technique relies on two different colors and sizes of beads to create the spiral design. Once you learn the spiral rope technique, you can adapt it to create jewelry, straps for handbags and other crafty projects. Beading experience is not necessary to make a spiral rope bead necklace. This beginner’s project come together quickly, but looks complicated.
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Things You'll Need
- Beading needle
- Waxed beading thread
- Size 8 seed beads
- Size 11 seed beads
- Clasp
- Jeweler’s glue
Instructions
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1
Thread the beading needle with 2 feet of waxed beading thread. Pull the thread tail through the needle to half the length of the working thread. The thread tail will become the working thread as you bead.
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2
Pick up one size 8 seed bead and slide it 10-inches from the end of the working thread. You are leaving a 10-inch tail so that you can later add a clasp. Holding the tail firmly, bring the needle around and back through the seed bead three times. This is called tying on a bead. The bead is part of the work and acts as a stopper for the other beads.
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3
Pick up three size 8 beads. In spiral rope and DNA strand beading terms, these are the core beads. Slide the core beads down to rest against the tied on bead. Pick up five size 11 seed beads, also known as the outside beads. Slide them to rest against the core beads.
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4
Skip the tied on bead and insert your needle back through the three core beads. Pull the thread taut and the five outside beads will rest on top of the core beads.
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5
Thread one core bead and five outside beads. Insert the beading needle up through the last two core beads that you added. Pull the thread taut.
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6
Notice that the core bead you added in Step 5 is a bit sideways. Insert the beading needle through this core bead and pull the thread taut. The bead will straighten to line up with the other core beads. Adjust the five outside beads so that they rest alongside, but a bit above, the first five.
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7
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 to the desired length of your necklace. If the thread on the needle runs out, tie on another strand with a triple overhand knot and continue beading. Leave the needle and thread attached to the work when the spiral rope is complete.
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8
Thread three core beads and one section of the clasp over the needle and thread. Wrap the needle around the clasp and insert it back down into the three core beads. Tie a double overhand knot to secure the loose thread to the thread exiting the spiral rope.
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9
Thread the needle with the 10-inch tail at the other end of the rope. Add three core beads and the remaining end of the clasp. Attach the clasp to the necklace as described in Step 8. Cover the knots with jeweler’s glue.
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References
Resources
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