How to Assemble Beaded Necklaces

Beaded necklaces are quick and relatively simple to make.

A simple beaded necklace is an elegant piece of jewelry that can be designed to match both casual and formal wear. While you may spend hours perusing the mall for the perfect piece of jewelry, a craft store is likely to yield beads in the exact color you are looking for in much less time. Assembling a beaded necklace yourself gives you the opportunity to use any pattern and color combination and create a one-of-a-kind piece.

Things You'll Need

• Jewelry wire
• Ruler
• Wire cutters
• Marker
• Two calottes
• Two crimp beads
• Chain nose pliers
• Decorative beads
• Lobster clasp
• Jump ring

Instructions

1. Wrap a length of jewelry wire around your neck to determine the desired length for your necklace. Add five inches to this measurement and cut the wire with wire cutters. A total length of 20 inches is typical for a short necklace, while a piece that falls below the neckline would be about 24 inches.

2. Identify the center of the wire if you are creating a symmetrical necklace. Lightly mark this spot with a marker.

3. Thread a calotte onto one end of the necklace. This small metal piece looks like a clam shell and will conceal the end of the wire.

4. Thread a crimp bead onto the wire after the calotte. Bend the wire back through the crimp bead. Compress the wire and bead firmly with chain nose pliers. Trim excess wire from the end of the necklace. Use the pliers to close the calotte over the secured wire and crimping bead.

5. Thread the beads onto the wire to create your desired pattern. You can use a predetermined pattern or change colors randomly, depending on the finished look that you want for your necklace. Keep an eye on the center point if you are making a symmetrical piece. When you have completed the first half of the piece, begin creating the same pattern in reverse for the second half.

6. Thread the second calotte onto the necklace last, after all the decorative beads have been added. Repeat step four to secure the end of the necklace.

7. Attach a lobster clasp to one calotte and a jump ring to the other. Securely close the ring-shaped end of each calotte around the pieces with pliers to keep them in place.

References

• Beadage: Making a Simple Beaded Necklace
• How-To-Make-Beaded-Jewelry: How to Make a Beadalon Necklace