Friday, February 25, 2011

The Ten Minute Necklace Tutorial

Ever walk through the bead aisle at a craft store and think that a strand of beads would look good as a necklace just like that? When I saw these teal beads that's just what I thought, so I'll show you how I made the strands into a necklace in just 10 minutes.
You'll need:
  • 1 clasp set (I think these are also called findings)
  • Wire thread
  • 2 crimp beads
  • crimping tool
  • 2 smaller clear beads (these come on the bead strands)
  • Enough bead strands to go around your neck and drape where you want it to (you can measure this length with a measuring tape in front of a mirror at home before you head out to the store, or just hold up the beads in the store and look silly like I did, no shame!)
Start by cutting a length of wire about two inches longer than your determined necklace length. At the end of the strand of beads there are two smaller usually clear beads. Reserve these.
On your wire put: a crimp bead (not crimped), clear bead, and one end of your clasp in that order.
You're going to loop the end of the wire through the clasp, then back through both the clear bead and the crimp bead.
Holding the two ends of the wire, push the clear bead and the crimp bead close to the end of the clasp, then crimp the crimp bead. Thread your decorative beads on and repeat the exact same steps to finish the other end of your necklace with the other side of the clasp.
Done. 10 minutes. Now that's my kind of craft!

7 comments:

leaf and letter handmade said...

love your bead choice! i'm thinking i need some beaded necklaces like these for spring in bright colors. would you be interested in me guest-blogging 10 minute earrings to go with them for you? :)

Sarah said...

Of course I'd love that Lindsey! Thanks for your offer! We'll chat.
-Sarah

Nicole @ Sew Much Sunshine said...

So lovely! Nice job & thanks for the tutorial!

laylablue said...

i have had that same thought so MANY times!
thanks for sharing :)

hobby lobby, here we come!

Prayer said...

10 minutes or not, that necklace is great! There are a lot off beautiful necklaces you can make in 10 minutes. That is the wonderful thing about beading.

You can be as creative as you want, in whatever timescale you find fit.

Regards,
Tiffany @
Prayer Necklace

Delia said...

I love the color too! Beautiful job!

Amy said...

I am going to try this! I've seen these strings of beads in the store and thought the same thing! All of the beading bits and pieces and tools are a little overwhelming, though. Thanks for explaining!