Simple Beaded Necklace

I'm making a simple beaded necklace out of some reclaimed vintage components- Faux pearls, crystal beads, and rhinestone rondelles. I've strung the beads on a 'test wire' just to see how they look. I like the design, so I'm going to proceed.

Since I'm into reusing and recycling, I often use stringing wire from failed projects to do a test strand.

Beads, enough to make a 15-16" necklace

Plastic coated multi-stranded wire, any diameter which will work with your beads.

Necklace clasp and jump ring

Crimp beads to match necklace

Crimp covers

Here I've selected my clasp, crimp bead and crimp covers. I've also selected my wire, and I've cut it about 4" longer than my finished necklace. This gives me room to work when adding the clasp and jump ring.

Here I've laid out my string of beads to check the design and the sizing. It's too short, so I'm going to add some beads to make it even, and to make sure it's long enough to fit.

I now have my beads the way I want them. Before I pick up the strand to work with it, I apply a bead holder to each end to ensure I don't lose any beads along the way.

As I start stringing my beads onto the permanent wire, I make sure that the bead holes are big enough to accommodate the wire. A bead reamer comes in handy.

I've added the crimp, threading the wire up through it, adding the jump ring, then threading the wire back down through the crimp (photo 1). I slide the rest of the beads up over the now doubled end of the wire so that it is snug, but not tight (photo 2). I use a 'bead holder' to hold the wire in place (photo 3).

Using crimping pliers, I first do a basic v-crimp making sure my wires are parallel (photo 1). At this point I like to add a mini drop of jeweler's cement inside the crimp for extra holding power.

I check the crimp to make sure it is even and is not to tight against the jump ring (photo 2)

Using my crimping pliers, I gradually fold over the crimp and make it as tight as I can (photo 3).

Next I slide the crimp cover over the crimp, making sure the crimp is all the way in the cover (photo1)

The cover is gently closed with the crimp pliers. It should look like a perfectly round metal bead when done.

I then trim the remaining wire (in this case, close to the rondelle) so the necklace will not scratch.

I release the other end of the strung necklace from the bead holder (photo 1) and thread on the remaining crimp through the jump ring, which I added to the clasp (photo 2).

Now for the tricky part: adjusting the tension of the wire. You want a wire which is snug, but not too tight. Too loose and there will be gaps in the necklace; too tight and the necklace will buckle.

My favorite technique is to hang the necklace from the clasp end, sliding the beads down, and gently pulling on the end of the wire, shortening it (photo3). I usually have to do this several times before I get the correct tension. Use your bead holder to help hold things in place (photo 4). The crimp is in a good place, so I add a mini drop of glue, and use my crimping pliers the same way I did before (photo 5).

After trimming the extra wire, here is the finished necklace. It should drape nicely, and not be too tight or too loose.