We asked what you wanted to learn and got so many great responses! And one of the most wanted tutorials was how to make a multi-strand necklace. So we got out our crystals and pearls and created this Beaded Layering Necklace. We love how it turned out!
In our video tutorial, we’ll show you how to create the three strands of beads, how to add a pendant, and how to combine the strands to finish the ends and add the clasp. Follow along with the video tutorial, then use the steps below to make your own. And remember, if you have any questions while you are making your multi-strand necklace, leave us a comment and we’ll reply. We are here to help you!
Video How-to: Beaded Layering Necklace
Disclosure: This post has some affiliate links for products we think you’ll like. Even if you don’t want to buy the items online, we think it’s helpful to see what they look like, so you can buy them at your local craft store. If you make a purchase from one of these links, we’ll make a small commission. There is no additional cost to you at all, but it helps us a little so we can pay for our web hosting and the tools and materials we use in these videos and blog posts. All opinions are our own from our own personal experience.
How To Make A Beaded Layering Necklace
Materials
16″ Faceted round crystal beads, fire-polished aqua, 3mm
16″ Faceted crystal rondelles, light topaz, 2mmx3mm
16″ Fresh water pearls, 3mm to 5mm
1 Teardrop bezel-set pendant, blue chalcedony & gold
4 Clamshell bead tips, gold
6 Crimp beads, size #0, gold
2 Jump rings, gold, 6mm
1 Lobster clasp, gold
19-Strand bead stringing wire, gold
Tools
Chain-nose pliers
Wire cutters
Optional: Bead Scoop
Jump ring opener
Masking tape
Scissors
Ruler
Steps
1. Cut an 18″ length of bead stringing wire. (The finished length will be 16.5″. For a longer necklace, add 1.5″ to 2″ to the desired length and use that measurement to cut your bead stringing wire.) Fold a piece of masking tape over one end of the wire to keep the beads from sliding off.
2. Start by beading the freshwater pearl strand first. To do this, scoop some pearls into the palm of your hand. We are using our favorite trusty bead scoop!
Then “fish” the pearls onto the bead-stringing wire by tipping each pearl onto the end of the wire.
3. Measure the beaded section of bead stringing wire periodically until you have 8″ of pearls on the strand.
4. Next, slide on the pendant. Then feed on another 8″ of freshwater pearls so the pendant hangs in the center of the strand. Fold a piece of masking tape on the end of that wire. Set the beaded pearl strand aside.
5. Cut another 18″ length of bead stringing wire and fold a piece of masking tape over one end. Bead the strand with aqua crystal beads.
Bead and measure until you have 16″ of the aqua crystals on the bead stringing wire. Put a piece of masking tape on the end of the crystal strand and set the strand aside.
6. To bead the last strand, cut 18″ of bead-stringing wire and put masking tape on one end. Feed on 16″ of the light topaz crystals, then finish with masking tape and set it aside with the two other strands.
7. To finish the ends of the necklace, start with the aqua crystal stand. Remove the masking tape from one end of the wire and feed it up through the bottom of a clamshell bead tip.
8. Slide on a crimp bead and flatten it onto the wire with the chain-nose pliers. Use the wire cutters to trim the wire next to the flattened crimp. Don’t close the clamshell yet!
9. Remove the masking tape from one end of the other crystal strand. Feed the end of the wire up into the same clamshell bead tip.
10. Slide on a crimp bead and flatten it onto the wire with the chain-nose pliers. Trim the wire.
11. Use the chain-nose pliers to gently press the clamshell closed over the two flattened crimps.
12. Slide the beads on both crystal strands down to the finished end. Remove tape from one strand and slide that end of wire up into a clamshell bead tip.
13. Slide a crimp bead onto the wire. Make sure there is no slack in your beads. Use the tip of the chain-nose pliers to flatten the crimp inside the clamshell. Trim the wire close to the crimp.
14. Remove the tape from the end of the other crystal strand. Feed the wire up into the same clamshell bead tip, then slide on a crimp bead. Making sure there is no slack, flatten the crimp inside the clamshell with the tip of the pliers. Trim the wire. Gently press the clamshell closed over the two crimps.
15. Repeat to finish the ends of the freshwater pearl strand. To do this, remove the tape from one end, feed that end into the clamshell bead tip followed by a crimp. Flatten the crimp onto the wire with pliers. Trim the wire.
16. Slide the pearls down to the finished end and remove the tape from the other end. Slide on a clamshell bead tip followed by a crimp. Again, make sure there is no slack. Flatten the crimp inside the clamshell using the pliers. Trim the wire. Press the clamshell closed over the crimp.
17. To attach the clasp, open a jump ring using the jump ring opener by fitting the jump ring into a slot in the ring and rotating to open the jump ring.
18. Slide the clamshell bead tip from the pearl strand and clamshell bead tip from the double crystal strand onto the open jump ring.
19. Then slide on the lobster clasp and close the jump ring.
20. Open the other jump ring with the opener. Slide on the other clamshell bead tip from the pearl strand and from the double crystal strand. Close the jump ring.
We love how this multi-strand necklace looks like a trio of layered necklaces, but it’s as easy to wear as a single strand with just one clasp! We added a pendant, but you could make this Layered Necklace with any beads and with or without a pendant. If you have any questions at all while you’re working on your multi-strand necklace, leave us a comment and we’ll reply. We love helping you!
Happy Crafting,
Jennifer & Kitty
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