Beading Basics: How to Make a Necklace and Bracelet From Scratch

Beading Basics: How to Make a Necklace and Bracelet From Scratch

If you can thread a needle, you can make a necklace. This is the project that has started every beader since 1988 at our stores.

Same technique works for anklets, bracelets, and necklaces - just change the length.

What You Need (The Real Basics)

For one 18" necklace or 7.5" bracelet:

  • Beading wire: 49-strand .019 is best for beginners. Flexible, won't kink.

  • 2 crimp beads: 2x2mm tube crimps

  • 1 clasp: Lobster in your choice of metal

  • 1 jump ring to attach clasp

  • Beads: Your choice - gemstones, pearls, crystals. For your first, choose one bead size (6mm is easiest).

We have all findings in our Findings collection at beadsourceinc.com - Sterling Silver, Gold Filled, and Gold Plated crimps and clasps. Search "crimp" and "lobster clasp" on our site.

Tools:

  • Crimping pliers (or chain nose if you don't have crimping pliers yet)

  • Wire cutters designed for beading wire (not your nice jewelry cutters)

  • Bead board or towel so beads don't roll

How to Make a Necklace - Step by Step

Step 1: Cut Wire and Plan

Cut beading wire 3 inches longer than you want your finished piece. For an 18" necklace, cut 21". For a 7.5" bracelet, cut 10.5".

Lay beads out on your board in the order you want. For your first, make a simple pattern: maybe 6mm gemstones with a charm in the center.

Step 2: Attach First Side

String one crimp bead, then go through your lobster clasp, then back through the crimp bead - leaving a small tail. Pull so you have a loop around the clasp about the size of the crimp.

This is the most important step. Push crimp up toward clasp leaving about 1mm gap, then flatten crimp with crimping pliers. Test by tugging. If it slides, you didn't crimp hard enough.

Trim the tiny tail.

Step 3: String Your Beads

Now string all your beads in the order you planned. Take your time. For a charm in the center like our Mother Mary Medallion ($9.95): https://beadsourceinc.com/products/teeny-tiny-sterling-silver-or-vermeil-mother-mary-circle-round-medallion-charm-with-miraculous-miracle-on-back - put it right in the middle.

Step 4: Attach Second Side and Finish

String second crimp bead. Go through a jump ring, then back through crimp and through the last 2-3 beads. Pull snug - but not so tight your necklace is stiff. It should have a tiny bit of drape.

Crimp same as first side. Trim tail going into beads.

That's it. One necklace.

How to Make a Bracelet (Same Steps, Shorter)

Exact same process. For a bracelet:

Make 2 at once - one for you, one to gift.

The 3 Mistakes Every Beginner Makes

  1. Wire shows between beads: You pulled too loose before crimping second side. Pull snug, then crimp.

  2. Necklace is stiff like a wire: You pulled too tight. Let it breathe.

  3. Crimp breaks: You crimped twice in same spot, or used wrong pliers. One firm crimp in the center is enough.

Next Level

When you master this, you can:

Come to our Reseda or West LA store with this tutorial - we will help you pick beads and check your crimps for free. That's what a real bead store does.

Shop beading wire and findings: beadsourceinc.com/collections/all