Beaded Necklace Making

Beaded jewelry has made a strong comeback into mainstream fashion. A beaded necklace is one of the simplest types of jewelry to make. Beads are usually made from carved gemstone, glass, wood, shell, metal and crystals. The easiest type of beaded necklace to make is one where the beads are strung onto string or wire. For this project you will need the following: beads, stringing wire, round nose and flat nose jewelry pliers, jewelry wire cutter, a necklace clasp, two crimp beads, two crimp covers (optional) and two jump rings (optional).

Select Your Beads

The beauty of jewelry making is that you can mix and match your beads. Crystals go well in any combination, and a popular combination is to mix them with gemstones such as turquoise, lapis lazuli and amethyst. Most beads come pre-strung at 16 inches in length, which falls at the collar bone. Longer necklace lengths include 18-inch, 20-inch and 36-inch variations. Make sure the wire you are using is strong enough for your beads. The best beading wires are made up of some sort of metal in strands, covered with a clear nylon coating -- 49 strands being one of the strongest wires.

Stringing the Necklace

Measure your beading string, adding at least 4 to 8 inches to the length of your necklace. The first step in stringing a necklace is to create the first half of the necklace's clasp. Grab one end of your clasp. You will also need a crimp bead. Draw your string into the crimp bead and then into the loop of the clasp, and take the loose end once again into the crimp bead. Alternatively loop the wire onto the jump ring, open the jump ring and attach it to the other end of the clasp and then close the jump ring. Use your flat nose pliers to push the crimp bead as close to the clasp as possible, and then flatten the crimp bead tightly. This end of the necklace is now secure. Begin adding one bead at a time until all beads are strung. You should have a bit of string left over.

Closing and Finishing Touches

String the other crimp bead as the last bead on the necklace. Before closing, string the other clasp to the open end of the beading wire. Alternatively loop the wire onto the jump ring, then open the jump ring and attach it to the other end of the clasp and then close the jump ring. Make a loop by placing the loose end of the string into the crimp bead. Gently use the flat nose pliers to hold the crimp bead and then draw the lose end tight with your round nose pliers. Once the loop is tight, close the crimp bead with the flat nose pliers. You will have loose string ends on both sides of the necklace. Clip these ends off with your wire cutter. For a more professional final touch, place the crimp cover over the closed crimp bead, and then gently close to form a bead shape. Repeat on the other side. Your beaded necklace is now ready to wear.

References

• How to Make Your Own Bead Necklaces
• How to Make a Beaded Necklace
• Quartz Crystal Gemstone Beads and Swarovski Crystal Pearls