Do you feel the same way? I can never find necklaces that I like perfectly. Besides, I want to have something unique. So why not make them yourself? It's actually not that hard.
It is best to buy the accessories in a bead shop, where you can also get good advice on the accessories. Attention: plan plenty of time here, I always need hours to pick out my beads!! But hardware stores also have some accessories, as well as beads or even natural stones. Of course, you can also order a lot online (e.g., Ebay).
DIY necklaces and earrings with beads
Shopping list for a necklace and matching earrings:
- Beading wire (e.g., nylon wire 0.4 mm)
- beads
- Crimp beads (e.g., 'large'), only available in larger quantities
- 2 bead tips (clamshells)
- 1 lobster clasp (e.g., 10 mm)
- 1-2 jump rings (if the lobster clasp does not fit directly onto the bead tips, you need 2 of them!)
- Small pliers with thin ends (available in sets at hardware stores)
- 2 earring hooks
There are lots of sizes and colors for accessories, I chose everything in silver:
Necklace with a bead as the centerpiece:
Cut the beading wire to the desired necklace length. First, thread on a crimp bead, then the actual bead, and then another crimp bead. Repeat this process until the desired number of beads is threaded. Now it gets a little tricky if you want it to be symmetrical. It is best to lay the necklace on a flat work surface and position the beads with the crimp beads. Carefully squeeze the crimp beads with the pliers so that they no longer slip. I always start in the middle and then work my way up the sides.
Once all beads are fixed, you can finish the necklace. To do this, thread the bead tip onto one end, followed by a crimp bead. Squeeze the crimp bead at the very end of the beading wire and fold the bead tip shut. Do the same on the other side. Then thread a lobster clasp onto one side and secure it. On the other side, thread on the jump ring. If the lobster clasp does not fit directly onto the bead tip, you need a jump ring on both sides.
Dangling earrings with beads:
To make matching earrings for the necklace, cut another piece of beading wire to the desired length. Fix a crimp bead at one end with pliers, then thread on a crimp bead, the actual bead, and another crimp bead. Lay the earring on a work surface and fix the crimp beads at the desired points. Finally, thread on a crimp bead, threading the end through it again to create a small loop. Fix it again with the pliers. Then attach the earring hook through the loop. Your own earrings are finished!
With this technique, you can design quite a few different styles; here are a few more suggestions from my (costume) jewelry box:
This red necklace has the same stones symmetrically on the sides and only a larger, eye-catching stone in the middle:
You can also use different shapes of one color, which you can see very nicely here on the brown necklace:
Another possibility is to thread beautiful, large beads and fix them at the respective ends with 2 crimp beads in the middle, as with this green necklace:
I am very enthusiastic about being able to make my own jewelry. There are really great beads here in all colors and designs, so you are really spoiled for choice. Furthermore, you can find very good books with instructions for necklaces. If you also have ideas for DIY jewelry, I look forward to your comments.
Photos by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
Also read: No staining from costume jewelry
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