How to Make a Crimp Bead Necklace

Make a crimp bead necklace for a striking multistrand piece.

When you work with assorted beads and beading wire to create jewelry, crimp beads serve to finish the ends of beading wire and hold beads in place along the wire. You can make a crimp bead necklace with multiple strands of beading wire using a colorful combination of beads. Whether you possess beginning or expert jewelry-making skills, the necklace you create can be a striking and attractive addition to your jewelry collection.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Beading wire (.018 gauge)
• Wire cutters
• Crimp beads
• Closure clasp
• Crimping pliers
• Assorted beads (3 mm to 6 mm)

Instructions

1. Measure around your neck to determine how long you wish to make the necklace. Add 4 inches to this measurement and cut three strands of beading wire to this length.

2. Place a crimp bead on the end of one of the strands of beading wire. Pass the end of the wire through the loop of one-half of the closure clap and then back through the crimp bead. Tighten the beading wire so the crimp bead is snug against the closure clasp and crimp the crimp bead with the crimping pliers. Cut off the excess beading wire on the other end of the crimped bead. Repeat this process with the other two lengths of beading wire to attach all three wires to the closure clasp.

3. String an assortment of beads onto each of the three beading wires, stringing them separately. Fill approximately 2 inches of beading wires with beads and then string one crimp bead onto all three wires together. Tighten the crimp bead against the beads, making the beads and wires snug, and crimp the bead.

4. Repeat Step 3 along the entire length of the beading wires until approximately 2 inches of beading wires remain free.

5. Repeat Step 2 to attach the other ends of the beading wires to the other half of the closure clasp to finish the necklace.

References

• Beadage: Make Beaded Jewelry