How to Create a Bead Necklace Online

Creating a beaded necklace online is easy and fun.

Using virtual bead boards to create or design a beaded necklace saves time and money, and gives you the opportunity to perfect a design without investing hundreds of dollars in beads. With everything from campy games to serious software, you have plenty of options for virtual design tools, and the jewelry possibilities are endless. Several sites offer the opportunity to purchase your finished product, which you can keep or sell.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet access

Instructions

1. 

   Using a virtual bead board saves time and money.

   Determine the type of virtual bead board in which you're interested. For a more relaxed type of jewelry creation, try the Bijou designer at http://www.bijoudesigner.ch/index_en.html. For more complex and detailed bead designs, try the Swarovski crystal designer at http://www.create-your-style.com/Content.Node/service/Design-Tool-and-Community.en.php. The Fire Mountain Gems Virtual Bead Board, at http://www.firemountaingems.com/bb/beadboard.asp, is a simple, clean tool, but navigation requires looking up the individual beads and gems through the Fire Mountain site, instead of in a menu box. Perly Gates, at http://perlygates.net/, is also a more complex (but still enjoyable) tool.

2. 

   Each site offers different advantages with their virtual bead boards.

   Once you've selected a virtual bead board tool, follow the instructions within the site to ensure that your hardware and software are up to date. Verify that you are using the sites provided to protect your computer from viruses.

3. 

   With all the bead board software possibilities, there's bound to be a perfect fit for you.

   Follow online prompts to learn each site's method for online beading. The necklaces are made slightly differently on each site. Some "float" on the board without actually looking as though they are strung on wire or cord. Others allow you to copy patterns from one side of the necklace to the other, saving time and making sure the pattern is exact. Regardless, each site offers something special, so be sure to try each one suggested here.

4. Choose a site that allows you to create the way you want. Each board offers advantages and disadvantages. Some will let you purchase the final design, while others offer very limited types of beading. Play around with each to determine which is the best fit for you. And, if you're just looking to play jeweler, spend a little time with all of them!

References

• Swarovski Virtual Bead Board
• Bijou Designer
• Fire Mountain Gems Virtual Bead Board