Sometimes you're in a bind and need a quick gift for someone. Sometimes you have some beads and some chain. Sometimes that turns into a present and the day is saved! Like in the case of this necklace. I just couldn't find the perfect gift so I decided to make it.
You can never go wrong with a handmade gift. People will appreciate that you took the time to make it even if they don't wear it. But, hopefully, you know the person you're trying to buy a present for well enough that you know they'd love your gift (or at least fake it). So here's a quick and easy DIY gift that you can put a lot of love and personalization into.
Easy Beaded Necklace Tutorial
Materials:
10-12 inches of chain, cut into two pieces
About 5 inches of beading string
6-10 beads
2 crimps
4 jump rings
1 clasp
2 pairs of flat nose pliers
1 pair of wire cutters
Instructions:
1. Measure out how long you want your necklace. I wanted mine a standard necklace size, which is about 18in total. Since I cut 2 6in pieces, because the beaded part will fill in the missing space.
2. Take a crimp bead and place it on one end of your beading wire with about 2 inches of extra sticking out. Loop the end of the wire back into the bead to create a tiny loop, then secure the crimp bead with your pliers. You should have a little tail sticking out and that's good - don't cut it!
3. Arrange your beads in the order you want them on the string. Then string them on one by one.
4. Once all your beads are on, grab the second crimp bead and do the same thing you did on the other end. This might take some maneuvering because you'll want to get the crimp bead secured very close to your beads so that they stay tight.
5. Loop your extra beading wire tails in through 3 or 4 beads before cutting off the excess. This will ensure that your beads stay secure!
6. Open up 2 jump rings and hook one on the loop you created with your beading wire. Attach 1 half of your chain to that. Do the same on the other side.
7. Open up the last two jump rings and attach one to the other end of the chain to attach your clasp. Do the same on the other side for the other half of the clasp.
Voila! You are finished. Now you have a beautiful, simple, and custom beaded necklace to hand out to all your best friends or just keep for yourself. I don't judge ;)
3. Arrange your beads in the order you want them on the string. Then string them on one by one.
4. Once all your beads are on, grab the second crimp bead and do the same thing you did on the other end. This might take some maneuvering because you'll want to get the crimp bead secured very close to your beads so that they stay tight.
5. Loop your extra beading wire tails in through 3 or 4 beads before cutting off the excess. This will ensure that your beads stay secure!
6. Open up 2 jump rings and hook one on the loop you created with your beading wire. Attach 1 half of your chain to that. Do the same on the other side.
7. Open up the last two jump rings and attach one to the other end of the chain to attach your clasp. Do the same on the other side for the other half of the clasp.
Voila! You are finished. Now you have a beautiful, simple, and custom beaded necklace to hand out to all your best friends or just keep for yourself. I don't judge ;)
Hey Maggie - Thanks for sharing this over on Blitsy! You're right, you can never go wrong with a handmade gift. Love the necklace tutorial!
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