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Set out below are step by step instructions and photos for a wide range of beaded jewellery projects.
Feel free to make use of these great resources.
We are adding new projects regularly, so bookmark this page and check in again soon ...
Select from the following links or scroll down to view project instructions
Jagged Necklace
Single Strand Bespoke Necklace
Knotted Tigertail Necklace
Wire Wrapped Beaded Necklace
Beaded Pendant Necklace
Foil Glass and Wire Bracelet
Lampwork Bead and Chain Necklace
Easy to make Earrings
Memory Wire Bracelet
Glass Bead & Wire Necklace
Tigertail Necklace Or Bracelet
3 Strand Tigertail Necklace
Mother of Love Necklace
Blue Flower Earrings
Pearl & Crystal Necklace
Orange Indian Mix Capped Earrings
Pandora Style Bracelet
Jagged Necklace - by Michele
You’ll need relatively few items for this project: round nose pliers, wire cutters, a handful or more of 3.5cm headpins, a clasp set, some colourful beads (glass pearls look good) and some Swarovski or glass crystals to add sparkle.
- Put your first bead on a headpin. Set it aside.
- Now put your second bead on a headpin, and cut it about halfway down.
- Now put your second bead on a headpin, and cut it about halfway down.
- String the wire of your first bead through the eye of your second bead.
- Repeat the process you did for the second bead, but before closing your loop, make sure it’s going around the wire of the previous (second) bead. Now this bead will go upward to form a zig zag:
- Continue this process by alternating your various colored beads and crystals. The shape continues to be formed as you do more loops and connect to the previous bead — some going upward and some going downward to create a jagged effect.
- Once you have finished adding and connecting your beads, go back to the first bead that had the uncut headpin
- Snip it in half and make a loop at the end; add the one half of your clasp. After your final bead on the other end, you’ll make a double eye pin; the loop of one end of your double eye pin will connect to the wire of your last bead, and the loop at the other end will go through the other half of your clasp.
- And as an added bonus, it even wraps around for a funky bracelet!
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Single Strand Bespoke Necklace
You will need:
LEATHER NECKLACE:
- 1 x length of 2mm leather or leatheroid cord approx 50cm long
- 2 x silver plated connectors 12mm x 4mm x 4mm
- 2 x 4mm silver jumprings
- 1 x silver lobster clasp
- Bead(s), charm(s) or pendant of your choice with a centre hole of at least 5mm
- Firstly, attach a connector to each end of your cord, making sure that the smooth side of the cord is face down on the connector at both ends before firmly squeezing with pliers.
- Attach the lobster clasp to the connector at one end of your cord using one of your 4mm jumprings.
- Attach the second 4mm jumpring to the connector at the other end.
- Now you can thread anything you like onto your necklace - the picture above has a glass Pandora style bead, however you can use a silver plated one or several of your choice, or your favourite pendant.
CHAIN NECKLACE:
- 1 x length of 2.5mm silver network chain approx 50cm long
- 2 x silver snake head clasps 3.2mm x 5.8mm
- 1 x 4mm silver jumpring
- 1 x silver lobster clasp
- Bead(s), charm(s) or pendant of your choice with a centre hole of at least 5mm
- Firstly, glue a snake head clasp to each end of your chain, using a good quality craft glue (such as Selleys Multi-Grip)
- Leave to dry according to glue instructions - preferably overnight
- Attach the lobster clasp to the snake head clasp at one end of your chain using one of your 4mm jumprings.
- Voila - now you can thread anything you like onto your necklace - the picture above has a silver plated Pandora style bead, however you can use whatever you like!
Knotted Tigertail Necklace
You will need:
- 30 (approx) 6mm glass cube beads in 2 colours (photo shows amethyst and jet)
- 40 (approx) 4mm Swarovski or glass crystal bicones in the same 2 colours
- 10 (approx) 6mm or 8mm faceted glass crystal beads to match (photo shows jet)
- Tigertail x 4m
- 2 x crimps
- 2 x crimp covers
- Toggle and T Bar set or fasteners of your choice
........ and pliers for crimping and cutting
- Firstly, cut 2 x 2m lengths of tigertail and bend both double so you have 4 strands
- Thread one half of your fastener set onto both doubled strands down to the bend halfway down.
- Thread a crimp onto all 4 strands and crimp it as close as possible to the fastener. Squeeze a crimp cover over the crimp to give a professional finish.
- Thread 1 bead onto each strand in the following sequence - 4mm bicone first colour, 6mm cube second colour, 6mm cube first colour, 4mm bicone second colour.
- Take two strands in each hand and tie a single basic loop knot - tighten the know until it is approximately 10mm from the crimp and fastener.
- Arrange the beads so they are evenly spaced and sitting neatly, then bend the knot firmly. Once bent, the tigertail will hold the knot in place.
- Thread 1 bead onto each strand in the following sequence - 4mm bicone second colour, 6mm cube second colour, faceted glass bead, 4mm bicone first colour.
- Repeat the knotting process as above.
- Continue threading your beads in the same alternating sequence (you can make up your own variation if you prefer - the sequence we suggest is just a guideline) until your necklace is the desired length.
- After threading your final sequence of 4 beads, do the following instead of tying a knot.
- Thread a crimp, then the other half of your fastener set over all 4 strands, then thread all strands back through the crimp to form a loop. Pull loop tight and crimp as firmly as possible.
- Squeeze a crimp cover over the crimp and when you are satisfied that the crimp is as secure as possible, trim off the ends of the tigertail as close as possible to the crimp cover so that the ends are not showing.
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Wire Wrapped Bead Necklace
You will need:
- 20 (approx) wire wrapped Indian glass beads in a variety of shapes and sizes (our 100g wire wrapped mixes are ideal)
- 25 x 6mm silver jumprings
- Tibetan Silver Toggle Set or fasteners of your choice
........ and long needlenose pliers for your jumprings
- Firstly, take one of your wire wrapped beads and 2 jumprings - attach a jumpring to the loop at either end of the bead, leaving each jumpring open
- Attach your next bead to one of the jumprings on your first bead, then squeeze it closed with your pliers.
- Continue this procedure until your necklace is the desired length - 20 beads will make a medium length necklace so you can make it whatever length you like.
- Once you are happy with the length, secure each piece of your fastener set to the jumpring at either end and close each jumpring with your pliers.
The photo shows a necklace made with the pale peach mix - it also looks great in pink, teal, or even a mix of the 3 colours!
Beaded Pendant Necklace
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You will need:
- A mix of approx 36-40 6mm-8mm glass faceted, bicone and cube beads of your choice (suggest 2 colours plus clear, 12-14 of each)
- Glass pendant of your choice
- Assorted seed beads and 4mm crystal or glass bicones in colours of your choice x 50 (approx)
- 30 (approx) x Tibetan silver or antique gold beads
- 2 x crimps
- 2 x crimp covers
- Tigertail x 1200mm
- Toggle and T Bar set
........ and pliers for crimping and cutting
- Firstly, cut a length of tigertail which, when doubled, is approx 50mm longer than the desired finished length of your piece
- Thread the toggle onto one strand to halfway down the length of the tigertail.
- Thread a crimp onto the doubled strand and crimp it as close as possible to the fastener. Squeeze a crimp cover over the crimp to give a professional finish.
- Thread your beads onto the doubled strand in any pattern you want - the photo is just an example, although some sense of uniformity usually looks better, eg start with a Tibetan silver bead, followed by a faceted glass bead, another Tibetan silver bead, seed beads, 4mm bicone, a different coloured faceted glass bead, 4mm bicone, cube bead, 4mm bicone, seed beads, and so on.
- When you have threaded your necklace to half the desired length, thread your pendant onto 1 strand only, then mirror your threading pattern from the first half (on both strands again) for the second half, until both halves contain the same number of beads and measure exactly the same.
- Next thread a crimp bead onto both strands, then thread both strands through the ring of the t-bar and back through the crimp bead, then back through the last 2-3 beads you threaded.
- Squeeze the crimp firmly, cover it with a crimp cover then carefully cut off the ends of the tigertail so it cannot be seen. Voila!
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Foil Glass and Wire Bracelet
To Make a Bracelet 21cm in length you will need:
- 10 x 12mm square foil glass beads in the colour of your choice
- 10 x 3-3.5mm eyepins in the colour of your choice
- Fasteners of your choice to match, eg spring clasp and jumpring or toggle and t-bar set
- 2 x extra 4mm or 6mm jumprings to match
........ and a good pair of round nose jewellery pliers, long needle nose pliers and cutting pliers
- Firstly, thread 1 bead onto an eyepin
- Make a loop in the straight end of the eyepin using your round nose pliers, leaving it open slightly, then thread another eyepin on and close the loop.
- Thread another glass bead onto the next eyepin, then secure another eyepin to the straight end in the same way.
- Repeat this alternate pattern until you have finished threading all of your beads onto your eyepins.
- Secure your chosen fastener on to a jumpring, then attach to the loop of the eyepins at each end to complete the bracelet
Lampwork Bead and Chain Necklace
You will need:
- 6 x pink and 6 x black 10mm round lampwork beads
- 12 x 4mm Amethyst or Deep Plum Bicones and 12 x 4mm Jet bicones
- Crosslink Chain (approx 0.3m)
- 12 x 3-3.5mm eyepins to match chain
- 2 x jumprings to match chain
- Fasteners of your choice eg toggle set or spring clasp and jumpring set
- Silver crimp covers x 15 approx
........ and preferably a good pair of round nose jewellery pliers, long needle nose pliers and cutting pliers
- Firstly, cut 12 lengths of chain 5 links long each
- Take your first length of chain and attach an eyepin to one end
- Thread a 4mm bicone bead onto the eyepin, then a matching lampwork bead, followed by another 4mm bicone.
- Attach your next length of chain to the other end of the eyepin.
- Repeat these last 3 steps until you have worked your full length of beads, chain and eyepins.
- Secure your chosen fastener, using a jumpring, to each end of the chain to complete
The above colour scheme is just a suggestion - there are other lovely colours available in 10mm round lampwork beads. so make your own variation!
Easy to make Earrings
You will need:
- 2 x 3-3.5mm headpins
- 2 x earring hooks
- 2 x 4-6mm bead caps
- Selected glass and metal beads
- Thread the beadcap onto the headpin first
- Follow with your chosen beads in your desired sequence
- Loop the top of your headpin and attach to your earring hook
- Secure with pliers
Memory Wire Bracelet - by Melisa Walker
You will need:
- 2.2cm or 2.5cm coil or memory wire cut to your preferred length
- Enough small beads to fit on bracelet in colour(s) of your choice
- Seed beads to match or small silver ball spacers
........ and a pair of round nose pliers
- Take your round nose pliers and loop the first end into a wrapped loop
- Start sliding beads on with a spacer or seed bead in between each glass bead.
- Continue to the end and leave enough room on the wire to finish with a looped end - this prevents it from coming undone.
Memory wire is so versatile - it retains its shape and is so easy to use by all groups and ages. Great for the elderly at rest home craft days.
Glass Bead & Wire Necklace
To Make a Necklace 50cm in length you will need:
- 24 x selected handmade Indian glass beads in the colour of your choice
- 24 x 4mm Swarovski or Chinese glass crystal bicone beads in 1 or 2 colours
- 24 x 3mm eyepins in the colour of your choice
- Fasteners of your choice to match, eg spring clasp & jumpring, magnetic clasp set or toggle and t-bar set.
- 2 x 4mm or 6mm jumprings to match
- 50mm of crosslink chain (optional)*
........ and round nose jewellery pliers, long needle nose pliers and cutting pliers
- Firstly, thread a 4mm bicone, then a glass bead, then another bicone onto one of your eyepins.
- Make a loop on the straight end of the eyepin using your round nosed pliers, leaving it open slightly, then thread another eyepin on and close the loop.
- Thread a glass bead only on to this next eyepin, then secure another eyepin to the straight end in the same way.
- Repeat this alternate pattern until you have finished threading all of your beads onto your eyepins - every second bead will be between 2 crystals, so if you are using 2 colours it looks best if you alternate them as well, so each colour features on every fourth eyepin.
- Secure your chosen fastener to the loop of the eyepins at either end to complete the necklace
* If you want to be able to adjust the length, attach a small length of chain to one end between the eyepin and the fastener
Tigertail Necklace Or Bracelet
You will need:
Necklace -
- 40 (approx) x mixed glass beads in colour of your choice(100g Indian glass mixes are perfect)
- 50 (approx) x seed beads and/or metal spacer beads
- 20 (approx) x 4mm crystal or glass bicones
- 20 (approx) x Tibetan silver or antique gold beads
- 2 x bead caps to match
- 10 (approx) x crimps
- Tigertail x 1200mm
- Toggle and T Bar set or fasteners of your choice
........ and pliers for crimping and cutting
Bracelet -
- 20 (approx) x mixed glass beads in colour of your choice(100g Indian glass mixes are perfect)
- 20 (approx) x seed beads and/or metal spacer beads
- 8 (approx) x 4mm crystal or glass bicones
- 8 (approx) x Tibetan silver or antique gold beads
- 2 x bead caps to match
- 10 (approx) x crimps
- Tigertail x 500mm
- Spring clasp and jumpring set
........ and pliers for crimping and cutting
- Firstly, cut a length of tigertail which, when doubled, is approx 50mm longer than the desired finished length of your piece
- Thread the toggle or spring clasp onto one strand to halfway down the length of the tigertail.
- Thread a crimp onto the doubled strand and crimp is as close as possible to the fastener
- Thread your beads in any pattern you want - the photo is just an example, although some sense of uniformity usually looks better, eg start with a beadcap and round bead, then perhaps a crystal, a couple of seeds and/or metal spacers, a different small glass bead, a Tibetan metal bead, a larger glass bead, and so on, until you finish with a round bead and finally a beadcap.
- When you have finished threading your beads, thread next a crimp bead, then thread both strands of tigertail through the jumpring or ring of the t-bar and back through the crimp bead, then back through the last 2-3 beads you threaded.
- Squeeze the crimp firmly, then carefully cut off the ends of the tigertail so it cannot be seen. Voila!
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3 Strand Tigertail Necklace
You will need:
- 12 x selected 8-10mm pink and white beads of assorted shape and design
- 12 x pink glass pearls
- 6 x 6mm Swarovski or AB bicones
- 6 x 8mm jet faceted glass crystals
- 6 x 4mm jet glass bicones
- Silver crimps x 20 approx
- Silver crimp covers x 15 approx
- Silver tigertail by 1600mm
- Lobster clasp and jumpring or fasteners of your choice
- 1-2 4mm or 6mm jumprings
........ and pliers for crimping and cutting
- Fold your tigertail into three equal lengths - do not cut the bend at each end
- Thread a jumpring onto a single free end down to the bend at the other end. Thread a crimp down all 3 strands after it then carefully and firmly squeeze the crimp, close to the jump ring. Squeeze a crimp cover over the top. Your crimp covers will hide your crimps and look just like round silver spacers!
- Thread a pink pearl, an 8mm jet faceted bead, then a selected white bead onto each of the 3 strands so they are loosely staggered. Thread a crimp onto all 3 strands and crimp approx 40mm from your first crimp. Squeeze a crimp cover over the top.
- Thread a 4mm jet bicone, a selected pink bead and a 6mm crystal onto each of the 3 strands, then thread a pink pearl onto your first strand - once again the beads should be loosely staggered. Crimp, making sure the distance between crimps is exactly the same, and cover with a crimp cover.
- Repeat these last 2 steps until you have threaded all your beads. Next thread a crimp over all 3 strands, then thread all 3 strands through the eye of your chosen clasp, then back through the crimp. Adjust until the strands are pulled through evenly but not too tight then crimp, cover and trim off the loose ends as carefully and neatly as possible.
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Mother of Love Necklace - by Melisa Walker
You will need:
- 1 red lampwork glass heart (focal bead)
- 2 clear glass beads
- 10 x red Indian glass beads
- 12 x seed beads
- 2 x small silver spacer beads
- 2 x small silver jumprings
- 4 x larger silver jumprings
- Silver craft wire (to wrap beads with)
- 10cm silver chain
- 10cm silver tigertail
- Silver crimp beads
- 2 x 3.5cm silver headpins
- 1 x silver clasp set to fasten
........ and a pair of round nosed pliers, as well as pliers for crimping and cutting
- Take a piece of silver craft wire and make a wrapped loop, similar to the loop shown in the picture. Wrap the wire around the loop 3 times
- Thread a clear glass bead onto the wire. Pull the wire tight and fold in down towards one side. Use your round pliers to hold the wire and twist the end around to make a loop around the middle of the bead. Then thread the wire back through the bead and repeat on the other side. Leave enough wire to go back through again and make a wrapped loop. Repeat this process with the other clear bead and the four red Indian beads. The beads will have a wire wrapped look.
- Next is the focal bead. Take a piece of wire. Make a wrapped loop and add a silver spacer bead. Add the heart and another silver spacer. Make another wrapped loop.
- Use two 3.5cm headpins. On each headpin add a seed bead, a red glass bead, a seek bead, a glass bead and another seed bead. Make a small loop on the end and attach both completed headpins to a small jumpring. Attach this jumpring to the wrapped loop at the bottom of the heart.
- Cut a piece of chain 3 links long. Attach another jumpring to the wrapped loop at the top of the heart, then use this to connect the heart to the middle chain link.
- On one of the end links of the 3 link chain, connect a larger jumpring and a glass wire wrapped bead. To the other end of the wire wrapped bead add nine links of chain and a larger silver jumpring. Add another larger jumpring and attach a red wrapped bead.
- Repeat the last step on the other end of the 3 link chain that the heart is attached to.
- Cut 5cm of tigertail. Thread the tigertail through the wire wrapped loop of the red glass bead. Slide a crimp onto both strands of wire and crimp close to the loop you have made by threading it through the wrapped loop.
- Next add another crimp, a seed bead, a red bead, a seed bead and another crimp. Space the beads evenly then close the crimps tightly.
- Add a seed bead and another crimp. Connect to the fastener. Slide tigertail into the crimp and close.
- Repeat these last 3 steps on the right hand side, making sure that the beads all match up. On this side add the other half of your fastener
Remember to give it to your mother! Then make one for yourself.
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Blue Flower Earrings - by Melisa Walker
You will need:
- 6 silver spacer beads
- 2 Tibetan silver beads
- 2 blue glass flower beads
- 2 jumprings
- 2 silver earring hooks
- Silver craft wire to suit
........ and a pair of round nosed pliers.
- Take your silver craft wire and create a loop at one end using your round nosed pliers
- Continue to wrap the short end around the wire and snip - this is your head pin to thread your beads onto.
- Start with the silver spacer, then blue flower, silver spacer, Tibetan silver bead and lastly silver spacer.
- Take your round nosed pliers and finish by looping the wire close to the last bead, wrapping the wire twice and snipping close to the headpin loop.
- Add jumpring and earring hooks to finish (remember to make a matching pair
Pearl & Crystal Necklace
You will need:
- 8 x 10mm bronze glass pearls and 14 x 6mm glass pearls (picture shows pink)
- 60 x seed beads and/or metal spacer beads
- 24 x 4mm crystal or glass bicones
- 7 x 6mm crystal or glass bicones
- 7 x 8mm faceted glass beads
- Crimps and crimp covers
- Tigertail x 600mm
- Toggle and T Bar set or fasteners of your choice
........ and pliers for crimping and cutting
- Firstly, cut a length of tigertail which, when doubled, is approx 50mm longer than the desired finished length of your piece.
- Thread the toggle or spring clasp onto one strand to halfway down the length of the tigertail.
- Thread a crimp onto the doubled strand and crimp is as close as possible to the fastener. Squeeze a crimp cover over the crimp to give a really professional finish.
- Thread your beads in any pattern you like - to use the one in the photo, start with a pattern of 3 x 4mm bicones (all separated with a spacer) then 1 x 6mm pearl. Repeat twice, then thread 3 x 4mm bicones followed by a 10mm pearl, then spacer, crystal, spacer, 8mm faceted bead, spacer, small pearl, spacer and so on When you necklace is half of your finished length, mirror your threading for the second half if you want your necklace to be symmetrical.
- When you have finished threading your beads, thread next a crimp bead, then thread both strands of tigertail through the jumpring or ring of the t-bar and back through the crimp bead, then back through the last 2-3 beads you threaded.
- Squeeze the crimp firmly, then squeeze a crimp cover over it and carefully cut off the ends of the tigertail so it cannot be seen. Voila!
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Orange Indian Mix Capped Earrings - by Melisa Walker
You will need:
- 2 silver spacer beads
- 4 Tibetan silver bead caps
- 2 orange Indian glass beads (or any other colour of your choice)
- 2 jumprings
- 2 silver earring hooks
- 2 silver headpins 3.5cm long
........ and a pair of round nosed pliers.
- Take the headpin and thread a silver spacer and bead cap, place bead next and top with another bead cap.
- Using your round nose pliers, finish headpin into a small wrapped loop.
- Add jumprings and silver earring hooks to finish.
- Repeat for the second earring
Pandora Style Bracelet
You will need:
- 7 x assorted Pandora style beads
- 8 x Tibetan silver engraved barrel beads with 4mm hole
- 8 x Tibetan silver barrel beads with 4mm hole
- 1 x length of silver network chain approx 20cm long
- 2 x snake head clasps
- 2 x 4mm silver jumprings
- 1 x fastener set to match – eg parrot or lobster clasp and 8mm closed ring
- 1 x 5cm length of crosslink chain to match
- Some good strong craft glue – Selleys Multi Grip is ideal - a pair of cutting pliers and a pair of needlenose pliers
- Firstly, glue a snake head clasp to one end of your network chain. Follow the instructions on your tube of glue re clamping and drying time.
- When your glue has had time to set, attach one end of your crosslink chain and your silver closed ring to the snake head clasp using one of your 4mm jumprings.
- You may now thread your beads onto the chain in whatever pattern you desire – it will not take long so this is the time to experiment until you are happy with the pattern you have threaded.
- Next, measure the bracelet around your wrist to determine the finished length. Cut with your cutting pliers.
- Glue your second snake head clasp to the other end of the chain and leave to dry.
- Finally, attach the other end of the crosslink chain and your parrot or lobster clasp to the snake head clasp using your second 4mm jumpring.
- Voila – a beautiful bracelet that will attract delighted comments wherever you go or make a perfect gift for someone special.
Check in again soon to view more new projects ...
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