An intro to cords and beads...

Hey,today I am here with you to give an insight for making a beaded necklace. It is very easy, as a note, extra care is required at the finishing part, to make your design neat and professinal.

Before starting, you should know about the threads and cords available in the market.There are many varities of  threads with different colours and sizes; like- nylon thread, silk thread, cotton cord, nylon cord, satin cord,rubber cord, elastic cord,beading wire, ribbon etc.

               

I usually prefer beading wire, nylon thread, silk thread or cotton cord for making necklaces, because these are the most common material available in almost all craft stores.While using cords, select the colour which matches with the colour of  your beads.

Materials Required:

• Beads(select your beads as per the design pattern)
• Thread or cord(it must pass through your bead holes) 
• Needle(if you are using thin threads,then it will help you to string your beads. Make sure to buy a needle with a small eye end, as it must pass through the bead holes) 
•  2 Crimp beads(Crimp beads are used to finish off beaded jewellery. This will  attach the bead string to a clasp and give your jewellery a neat look) 
•  1 Clasp(you can use a clasp such as a hook-and-eye, spring-ring,’S’hook, lobster clasp, bolt ring, a jump ring, barrel or a toggle to finish your piece.) 
•  Pliers.(to squeeze the crimp)

Before cutting the thread, decide the length of your necklace and take a bit extra; so that you can connect the clasp to your string.Take the beading thread or wire in a single,double or multi layered.If  you are a beginner, I recommand to make a single layered neck piece first.

• At the beginning you have to attach a clasp.So take your beading thread; string your crimping bead first,then the clasp and pass the bead wire back through the crimp in the reverse direction. Take your pliers and squeeze your crimping bead. You can apply glue on the thread and also make knots; so that your thread or beads won’t come out. Usually knotting is done after putting the second or third bead on the thread.  

• Start stringing your beads one by one. Don’t put the beads too close, it won’t give your necklace a round shape and may cause breakage too.

• If you want, you can put a pendant at the centre or side portion and string the remaining beads after that.
• To end the beading, follow same crimping step I have mentioned above. (Use a crimping bead first and then the clasp).

Your Beaded Necklace is ready..!

TIPS

• If you have some beads left after making the necklace, don’t worry!  make a pair of earrings or bracelet with that.
• Crimp covers can be used to cover the crimping bead and give the necklace more neat and attractive look.
• In threading, we simply put the beads on a string, with no extra work involved. If you are using a cord, it is better to do knotting. After stringing each bead, you can make a knot and make your creation more stylish.
• When buying crimp beads, get the size whose inside measurement is slightly larger than your thread or wire, as your thread must go through the crimp twice.

 Some of my experiments with cords and beads!