New Project: Dainty Bead and Chain Necklace


This beaded chain is so lightweight, you'll barely know you have it on! Use tiny beads, in any color or combination you'd like. I designed this necklace to benefit a local charity, Parents United, using the awareness colors for their organization. While I've labeled this project as Intermediate level, if you have mastered wrapped eye pins, you'll find it a snap.

Level: Intermediate

Materials
Sterling silver lightweight cable chain
Sterling silver lobster clasp
4mm beads (4)
22g sterling silver wire
4mm sterling silver jump rings (7)

Step 1: Cut 15 inches of chain for a 17 inch necklace.

Step 2: Make beaded links using the 22g wire and the 4mm beads. I leave my wire on the spool to eliminate waste. String a single bead on the wire, and allow it to fall to the spool. Using a round-nosed pliers, make a loop approximately 1cm from the end of the wire. Wrap the wire around the neck of the loop.

Step 3: Move the bead so it is tight against the wrap that you just completed. Make another loop about 5mm above the bead, and wrap the wire around the neck.

Step 4: Clip the wire close to the last wrap, and use a crimping pliers to bring the end in close to the rest of the wraps if necessary. This is your first link.

Repeat steps 2-4 to make the other three links.

Step 5: Connect the links using the jump rings. Connect one end of the linked section to one end of the chain, using a jump ring. Connect the other end of the linked section to the other end of the chain.

Step 6: Hold the necklace so that the links are centered, and determine where the center of the chain is. Cut the chain in half.

Step 7: Attach a lobster clasp to one end of the chain using a jump ring, and attach the remaining jump ring to the other end of the chain.

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 5:46 AM |