We love bead shopping, especially at bead shows. The selection is incredible! We bought three beautiful lampwork glass beads at a bead show. Then we took them around with us to shop for coordinating beads for a necklace. We chose black and peach faceted crystals and black Delica seed beads.

We’ll show you how we made this bead stringing project including the materials we used, how we decided on a design, how we strung the beads, and how we added the clasp to finish the ends. string the beads, and how to add the clasp to finish the ends. We think this is a great project to learn because you can make  this necklace with any beads.

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How To Make This Handmade Glass Bead Necklace

Materials

3 Oval lampwork beads, 15mmx30mm (We bought these from Bead Inspirations at the show. Here’s a link to their online store.)
16 Round faceted beads, peach, 8mm
4 Faceted rondelles, black, 6mmx10mm
4 Faceted oval beads, black, 8mmx10mm
4 Faceted rondelles, black, 5mmx8mm
Size 15 Delica seed beads, black
19-strand Bead stringing wire, gold
2 Crimp beads, gold
2 Clamshell beads tips, gold
Toggle clasp, gold
Bead bug (optional)

Tools

Chain-nose pliers
Wire cutters

Steps

1. To make the necklace, start by cutting a 20” piece of bead stringing wire. We chose 19-strand bead stringing wire, but you could use any size. Place a Bead Bug or a piece of masking tape on one end of the wire to keep the beads from sliding off. Then lay out your design on your work table.

2. To start the bead stringing, dump a few Delica seed beads into the palm of your hand. Then feed three onto the wire.

3. Slide the beads onto the wire in the pattern you designed. We chose a pattern of peach rondelle + large black rondelle + peach rondelle + black oval bead + peach rondelle + black rondelle + peach rondelle + lampwork bead. Each of these beads will have three Delica seed beads in between.

Then we’ll repeat the pattern three times to make the whole necklace.

5. When all of the beads are on the wire, slide them down toward the Bead Bug end. Slide the clamshell bead tip onto the other end of the wire pushing the end up through the bottom of the clamshell through the tiny hole there.

Next slide on a crimp bead.

Flatten the crimp bead onto the wire using the chain-nose pliers.

Then trim the end of the wire.

Gently close the clamshell over the flattened crimp bead.

Slide one part of the toggle clasp into the clamshell loop. Then close the loop.

6. Remove bead bug from other end of the necklace. Slide the beads down toward the clasp you just attached. Slide a clamshell bead tip onto the end of the wire all the way down to the beads. Add the crimp bead, sliding it all the way down until it nestles inside the clamshell. reach inside the clamshell with the chain-nose pliers and press the crimp bead flat onto the wire. Trim the end of the wire with the wire cutters. Then gently close the clamshell. Slide the other end of the clasp into the clamshell loop, then close the loop.

This classic bead stringing necklace can be made with any beads. And you can make it any length. Find a necklace you already like the length of and measure it. Add three or four inches to the length to cut your first piece of wire then have fun beading!
Cheers,
Jennifer & Kitty