Making Bead Jewelry

Making Bead Jewelry Basics

The good news is there is not a lot of skill involved in making the most basic types of bead jewelry. It's more a matter of selecting the right materials to work with that will ensure success in your beginning bead projects.

Investing in some good wire and the right tools will make any beading task you want to do a little easier.

Fancy wire and tools aren't critical when you're starting out, but you should at least buy some wire that is good quality and a basic beading plier or pliers set that includes crimping, cutting and bending capabilities.

Beyond that, the choice of materials is up to you. Pick out something that you like for your first project. Choose a color and a type of bead that will make you happy to wear your finished bead jewelry.

You might want to start by picking up some beads that will coordinate with one of your favorite outfits or that are your favorite color or your birthstone. The key to getting hooked on making bead jewelry is to have fun and make projects you enjoy making.

A Beginning Bead Jewelry Project

If you have never made any bead jewelry before, a great place to start is with a necklace and matching bracelet. Earrings are a little more complicated, but you can certainly make them too, if you like.

Making a necklace and bracelet together is fun because they use exactly the same supplies and technique. The only difference is that one project is much smaller than the other.

Choose your beads and coordinating closures. Think about what kind of closure will be practical for your bracelet. One of my early projects used a barrel clasp, which is really cute but completely impractical for trying to put on your own wrist.

Once you've gathered your supplies, start with the necklace. Cut a length of wire a few inches longer than you would like your finished necklace to be. Slide one end of the clasp onto the wire and fold the wire over so the clasp is inside the U-shape made by the wire.

If you'd like to use a crimp bead, slide one on now. These aren't necessary but do give a nice finished look to your piece. Slide the crimp bead as close as possible to the clasp. Use your crimping pliers to fold the bead first one way and then the other.

Now you're ready to being making your bead jewelry. Don't get concerned about sticking to a pattern or having any sort of plan, just string the beads in a way that looks and feels good to you.

When you get close to the end of the wire, slide on another crimp bead if you are using one, then add the other side of the clasp. Loop the wire around the clasp and back down through the crimp bead and the last couple of beads you strung. Trim any excess and crimp your bead.

Congratulations! You've just made your first piece of beaded jewelry. Do the exact same thing to make your matching bracelet, measuring your wrist and adding a couple of inches for comfort and to make the loops in the wire.

Other Ideas for Making Bead Jewelry

Of course this is a very quick and basic design for a piece of beaded jewelry. The sky is the limit when it comes to materials, complexity and color. I have one beaded necklace (not one I made) that has a full 10 strands of beads, and I have necklaces that are nothing more than a pendant on a leather strap.

There's room for everything in the wide world of making bead jewelry. If you need more ideas, check out the related articles below, as well as these other resources:

• Pmegio
• Beads by Mail
• Rings N Things
• Bead Style Magazine
• Bead Age

• Free Knitting Patterns
• Free Beading Pattern
• Free Baby Knitting Patterns
• Free Baby Crochet Patterns
• Free Cross Stitching Patterns

• Seed Bead Jewelry Designs
• Beading Design
• Making Jewelry Chains
• Beading Ideas
• Jewelry Making Tools

• Christmas Card Ideas
• Note Card Ideas
• Salt Dough Creations
• Christmas Craft Projects