Project of the month: Bead Over

printable version

Materials for a necklace:

• beads for the necklace base; quantity of beads subject to the length of necklace; note that bead with flat surface works best for the decorative beads to "sit" on

• assortment of 3 - 4mm beads - vary in shapes and colors to accommodate the color tone of your necklace base; be sure to include some tip-drilled, drop beads, which work really well for this project

• C-Flex beading wire (0.012 mm), 3 times the length needed for one single strand necklace

• 2 x crimp tube (2 x 2 tube)

• 1 set of clasp

Tools: Chain nose pliers (for crimping, you can also use crimping pliers or magic crimper), wire cutter

Estimated time: 2 hours

Step 1.

Cut the beading wire into 3 equal length. Start by stringing the section of the necklace without decorative effect.

Step 2.

When it comes to the place you want to add decoration (with a flat bead on the necklace base), separate the 3 strands. String the flat bead for the necklace base into the middle strand of beading wire. String small decorative beads randomly onto the other two beading wires. String enough small beads to cover the surface of the flat bead.

Step 3.

Pull all 3 beading wires tight. Repeat Step 2 for all the places you want to add decoration. At the places you want to skip the decoration, string all 3 beading wire into one bead for the base necklace.

Step 4.

To finish the necklace, string all 3 beading wires into one 2x2 crimp tube, string one side of the clasp, loop all 3 beading wires back through the crimp tube, pull the crimp bead close to the clasp. Repeat for the other side of the necklace. Check the length, then, crimp the crimp beads and cut off the beading wire tails.

Tips:

Choose contract colors for the small beads from the base necklace for a showy piece.

String the base necklace in subtle tone and create focal points with the bead-over decoration.

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