How to Create Necklaces & Pendants
Necklaces and pendants are among the most popular types of jewelry. Worn by both men and women, as well as by children, necklaces and pendants can be long and bold, or short and dainty. While they are available for sale at most jewelry retailers and many clothing stores, necklaces and pendants are also relatively easy to make on your own. With the right supplies and tools, you can create necklaces and pendants to suit any person's style.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Bulk metal jewelry chain
- Wire cutters
- 2 metal jump rings
- Flat-nosed pliers
- 1 metal jewelry clasp
- 1 bead
- 1 wire headpin
- Round-nosed pliers
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine how long you want your necklace to be. Note that necklaces range in length from 13 inches, which is suitable for a child, to 30 inches or more.
-
2
Cut a piece of bulk jewelry chain, which is available by the foot, to the length you desire for your necklace. Snip the chain using wire cutters.
-
-
3
Select a bead of any size, shape, style and color. Choose a bead that you think will make an attractive pendant.
-
4
Slide a wire head pin through the hole in the bead. Make sure the flattened portion of the head pin rests against the hole at the bottom of the bead and prevents the bead from sliding off the pin.
-
5
Grasp the portion of wire emerging from the top hole of the bead using round-nosed pliers. Bend the wire down with the round-nosed pliers to form a loop measuring about 1/4 inch. Wrap the excess wire around the base of the loop 3 or more times. You now have a pendant made from a bead with a wire bail at the top.
-
6
Slip the necklace chain through the pendant's bail. Slide the pendant to the center of the necklace chain.
-
7
Open a metal jump ring slightly with flat-nosed pliers. Slip the open jump ring through the last link at one end of the chain. Hook the jump ring through the small metal ring attached to one portion of a jewelry clasp. Close the jump ring completely with flat nosed pliers.
-
8
Open a second metal jump ring slightly with flat-nosed pliers. Slip the open jump ring through the last link at the other end of the chain. Hook the jump ring through the small metal ring attached to the other portion of the jewelry clasp. Close the jump ring completely with flat nosed pliers. Link the two portions of the jewelry clasp together. Your necklace and pendant are complete. Use this process to make as many necklaces and pendants as you desire.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Choose jewelry chain, jump rings, clasps and headpins made with a precious metal, such as sterling silver, for a durable and quality necklace and pendant. Select large beads made of faceted crystals for glimmering, jewel-like pendants.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit wood beads, colored beads image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
