How to Finish the Ends of a Beaded Necklace

Finish the ends of a beaded necklace with style.

Crafters of all ages can enjoy making beaded jewelry. One tricky aspect of necklace-making is finishing the ends. When you're designing a beaded necklace, pick out the type of clasp that you'd like to use prior to beginning beading. Knowing your clasp style in advance will help you determine how to finish off the ends of the necklace. One of the easiest techniques of finishing beaded necklaces involves using clamshell fasteners and crimp beads at the end of the beading wire.

Things You'll Need

• Beaded necklace
• Clamshell fastener
• Crimping bead
• Clasp
• Flat pliers
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Insert the wire at one end of the necklace through a clamshell fastener. Face the open part of the clasp toward the end of the wire.

2. Choose the location where you would ideally like your fastener to be placed. Take a crimping bead and place it at this spot. Use pliers to squeeze the bead tightly. Once this is done, the bead can no longer be moved.

3. Move the clamshell fastener down until it fits over the crimping bead. Use the flat pliers to squeeze the fastener shut so it covers the bead. This will no longer be able to be moved.

4. Use scissors to cut away any excess wire that remains beyond the ends of the fastener. Then, add the closure to the hook of the fastener. Make sure the closure is at the end of the fastener that will hook onto the other side of the necklace.

5. Close the hooks with the pliers.

6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 on the other end of the necklace. You will then be able to put your necklace on.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a clasp that is easy to work with, so that the necklace is easy to put on and take off.

• Beads come in all colors and shapes, so choose a clasp that will match the design of your necklace. There are different types of clasps available, and some designs will work better than others. Try fastening the clasp to test the ease of use before adding it to your necklace.

References

• Craft Ideas: How to Make a Beaded Necklace

Resources

• Craft Stylish: Make a Beaded Daisy Chain