How to Make Beads & Crosses Jewelery

Create original beaded crosses to show your faith.

Christians may wear cross jewelry as an outward symbol of their faith. Though there are many cross necklaces available commercially, making one yourself offers you the chance to personalize the piece. Plus, children often enjoy making and wearing homemade pieces. A beaded-cross necklace can be made by children, or modified to be appropriate for all ages.

Things You'll Need

• Beads
• Beading wire
• Scissors
• Jump ring
• Crimp beads
• Toggle clasp
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Snip a piece of beading wire about 3 feet long. Slide a jump ring to the center of the wire and fold the wire around it. Jump rings are small metal rings that connect the different parts of jewelry pieces.

2. Slide a bead onto the left side of the wire so it bumps into the jump ring. Bend the wire so the bead lies parallel to the jump ring and slide the right side of the wire through the bead from right to left. Add one more bead this way.

3. Slip a bead onto the left side of the wire so it bumps up against the second bead. Bend the wire down so the bead sits vertically to the left of the second bead. Slide another bead onto the left side of the wire so it sits below the third bead. Bend the wire up so the fourth bead sits vertically next to the third bead. The wire should be pointing straight up.

4. Bend the wire down and slip it back through the third bead. Bend the wire up and slip it back through the second bead so now it points to the right. Repeat this bead stringing process twice to create the right arm of the cross.

5. Slip a bead onto the left side of your wire and bend it up so the bead sits against the right and left arms of the cross. Slip the right wire through the bead to the left. Repeat this twice more to make the bottom arm of your cross, adding a crimp bead as you added the other beads. Pull the wires so the crimp bead sits snug against your other beads. Crush the crimp bead with pliers to secure your wires and snip away extra wire.

6. Slide a 12-inch piece of beading wire through the jump ring at the top of your cross. Put beads on the wire in any desired design. You may use the beads you used for your cross or other beads; use beads the same size or smaller than the beads on your cross to avoid overpowering your pendant.

7. Slide a crimp bead onto the left end of the wire along with one side of your clasp. Bend the wire around the clasp and back through the crimp bead. Crush the crimp bead to secure the wire. Repeat on the right side of the wire.

References

• Beads Making: How to Make a Beaded Cross
• Nicole Crafts: Pony Bead Cross Necklace
• Making Friends: Cross Pony Bead Pattern