How to Make a Glass Necklace
Glass beads are categorized by shape, such as a bugle, which is generally cut in an elongated tubular shape, or faceted, which has many cuts creating a diamond effect. Make a glass bead pendant necklace without a chain or cord by forming a wrapped loop wire at each end of the bead. To make an elegant necklace, use 14- or 18-karat gold or sterling silver wire. Jewelry designers often mix other beading elements, such as decorative metal spacers or gemstone chip beads, which are generally irregular-shaped gem pieces.
Things You'll Need
- Glass beads
- 22-, 26- or a 28-gauge beading wire (minimum 3 feet)
- Round-nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Chain-nose pliers
- Top-drilled glass pendant
- Toggle clasp
Instructions
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Making Wire Links
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1
Slide a glass bead onto the wire. The longer your finished necklace length, the more wire you will need.
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2
Form a loop using the round-nose pliers.
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3
Wrap the end of the wire around the base of the loop several times. The wrapped loop will sit against the bead. Repeat the process on the other side of the bead.
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4
Cut the end of the wrapped loop. Tuck the loose end into the wrapped wire using the chain-nose pliers.
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5
Slide the remaining wire onto a second glass bead. This time, before wrapping the loop, insert the wire into the first bead's looped wire. Shape the wire into a loop shape, then wrap at the base of the second bead.
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6
Repeat steps 1 through 5 until all the glass beads are wrapped and linked. This will create the chain-link appearance.
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7
Leave two beads with open loop ends. You will need the wire to slide through your toggle clasps later.
Attaching Your Glass Pendant
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8
Slide the wire through the glass pendant and bend it into a loop using the round-nose pliers.
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9
Slide one end into the wire link and shape the end into a loop shape.
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10
Wrap the wire around the base of the loop several times against the pendant. Repeat Section 1, Step 4 to cut and tuck the end wire for a clean finish.
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11
Slide the open loop wire from the two beads in Section 1, Step 7 through the toggle clasps' attached loops.
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12
Form a loop using round-nose pliers and wrap it at the base of the beads. This will secure your toggle clasp closure in place. Use chain-nose pliers to cut away any excess wire and tuck the end into the wrapped loop of your completed necklace.
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1
References
- Photo Credit glass necklace image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
