Parts and Pieces (Part Two)

If you read my previous post then you now have a handle on how to make your necklaces using already strung beads.  This time you’re going to learn how to make several necklaces by stringing all the beads yourself.  You will use the same techniques and supplies as you did before but will now be able to control the design and create the necklace you want.

 Finished "Blue Gems."

The first one is “Blue Gems” and also has a matching bracelet (lest you think I make only necklaces).  For this one, I used 3 types of beads: the main gem beads (Michaels) and 2 types of seed beads (Michaels-I think).  You’ll also need a little bit of chain unless you have enough gem and seed beads to make it long enough (which I didn’t, but I like the design I came up with more anyways).  

For the gem beads, you’ll have to use 1 eye hook pin per bead because they’re too big to have enough of the pin leftover for a second use.  The seed beads will be 2 per pin, so you might be able to get double usage out of the pins when you’re stringing the seed beads, but only if you’re careful.  It takes a lot more of the pin to curl it then you might at first think.  Once you have each piece beaded and ready you can connect them and attach the ends to the chain (along with the clasp) and you’re done!

Finished "Blue Gems" bracelet.

As for the bracelet, that came about because I had leftover beads.  Such beads almost always become bracelets for me.  It’s the best way to use them.  I only had one of the original kind of seed bead left  so to add a little something to it I took a different kind of seed bead (also a leftover) and added it to the little bit of chain dangling at the end.

Finished "Shells."

The next 2 necklaces are less about stringing and more about placement.  For “Shells,” you measure out your chain, add clasp and then attach jump rings to all your shell beads (Michaels).  You then pair them up (1 circle with 1 teardrop) and attach both to the same place on the chain.  I recommend getting a chain that has long links like the one pictured.  That makes it easier to place multiple beads on one link.

Finished "Glass Flowers."

 This necklace, “Glass Flowers,” may seem very easy to make because there are only 4 beads but as stated before placement is very important.  You need to measure out the chain and cut out 3 equal lengths (short) and 2 other equal lengths (long).  Getting the distance between beads can take a few tries, but it’s worth it to have it look symmetrical.  

Spacer beads (two sizes).

For this necklace, I also added some spacer beads (Michaels) to the end of the big beads (Michaels).  I had to do that because the holes on the big beads were so large that the eye hook pins slipped right through.  I think they also made the necklace look better.  They are plain so they don’t take away from the main beads but their addition adds a little quiet style to it as well.        

Next time I’ll show a mixture designs but will focus mostly on the more complicated usage of wires for beads that can’t be connected using jump rings.