Seed Bead Necklace Instructions
Seed beads are small round beads with flat sides that come in sizes ranging from 15/0 to 1/0, which is approximately how many beads fill 1 inch. The larger the number, the smaller the bead. Any size can be used to create a seed bead necklace. Beads you see in general craft stores labeled "seed beads" are usually size 11/0 beads. Beading stores, however, sell multiple sizes, including ones that are uniform in size, which is important when stitching beads together.
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Stringing Seed Beads
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The easiest way to make a seed bead necklace is to string seed beads on a length of beading thread or wire with a long, slender beading needle that fits through the bead's small hole. Size 11/0 craft seed beads are fine for this style necklace because the beads do not need to be 100 percent identical for the necklace to look nice. Join multiple strands of seed beads to a single clasp for a multistrand necklace, or braid the strands together for a woven seed bead necklace. Craft and beading stores sell bead spinners that speed up this stringing process. A spinner rotates the beads in a curved dish so that a curved beading needle positioned on the edge of the bowl can easily pick up the beads as they fly by.
Stitched Seed Bead Necklaces
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A tubular or flat seed bead necklace can be stitched using beading thread and a beading needle. A tubular necklace, also sometimes called a seed bead "rope" necklace, starts with a circle of beads and grows into a long hollow tube as more beads are added. You start by stringing an even number of beads on the thread, then knotting the ends of the thread together to form a ring. Pass the needle through the first bead to start. Then pick up a bead on the needle, skip a bead, and pass the needle through the next bead on the ring. Repeat this around the circle, adding a new bead and stitching in every other bead until you come back to the first bead you added. Pass the needle through that bead and you're ready to start the next round. The beads on the necklace will naturally spiral as you progress. If you add different colored beads in the same order in each round, you can create a striped pattern.
A flat necklace can be made with a variety of beading stitches that arrange the beads in different configurations for different looks and patterns. See Resources for instructions to three common stitches used for seed bead necklaces: peyote stitch, herringbone stitch and brick stitch. The size of the beads you use and the number you start with for the beginning row or circle on your necklace determines how wide the necklace will be, but it's important to use seed beads that are uniform in size from beading stores. Otherwise the beads will not line up neatly when stitched together.
Clasps and Finishing
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Seed bead necklaces can be finished with clasps attached to the beading thread with crimp beads or attached by tying a knot in the thread. Knots can be hidden inside bead tips or knot covers that have soldered loops for the clasp to attach to. If you don't like how the crimp beads look on your thread, you can hide them with crimp bead covers. To hide knots on multistrand necklaces, string a metal cone on the ends of the necklace before adding the clasp.
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