How to Make a Statement Necklace

Music credits: Deborah Gan, “Locked Out of Heaven”

Materials list:

--(42) 6mm round beads

--(78) 8mm round beads

--(9) 10mm round beads

--(9) 14mm round beads

--A toggle clasp

--(12) 1-1/2" eye pins

--(9) 1-1/2" head pins

--(2) crimp covers

--(4) crimps

--Beading wire (0.19” diameter)

--Crimping pliers

--Wire cutters

--Round-nose pliers

--A ruler

--(2) Bead stops

Instructions:

1. Measure and cut a 28" length of beading wire. Then measure and cut a 12"length of beading wire. Attach a bead stop about 3" away from one end of the 28" length of wire.

2.

#1 head pin unit (make two): String an 8mm bead on a head pin & form a loop at the top; trim excess wire.

#2 head pin unit (make four): String a 14mm bead on a head pin & form a loop at the top; trim excess wire.

#3 head pin unit (make three): String a 14mm & an 8mm bead on a head pin & form a loop at the top; trim excess wire.

#1 eye pin unit (make one): String an 8mm bead on an eye pin & form a loop at the top; trim excess wire.

#2 eye pin unit (make two): String a 14mm bead on an eye pin & form a loop at the top; trim excess wire.

#3 eye pin unit (make nine): String a 6mm, an 8mm, and another 6mm bead on an eye pin & form a loop at the top; trim excess wire.

Attach a #3 head pin unit to the #1 eye pin unit. Attach a #2 head pin unit to a #2 eye pin unit (repeat for a total of two).

3. String the following on the 28” length of beading wire: (9) 6mm beads, (26) 8mm beads, (8) 10mm beads, (26) 8mm beads, & (9) 6mm beads.

4. Position your centerpieces in this arrangement, from left to right:

#1 head pin unit, #2 head pin unit, #3 head pin unit, #2 head pin/eye pin units, #3/#1 head pin / eye pin units, #2 head pin/eye pin units, #3 headpin unit, #2 head pin unit, and #1 head pin unit.

Attach the #1 head pin units in between the 8mm and 10mm beads on the necklace. Then attach the rest of your bead units in between the 10mm beads, according to your prepared arrangement. Then attach a #3 eye pin unit in between each 10mm bead, nine in all.

5. Count (7) 8mm beads away from the left-most 10mm bead. Slide a crimp bead on the 12" length of beading wire. Bring the end of the wire in between the 7th and 8th beads you counted to. Then bring the wire end back through the crimp bead, forming a loop. Secure the crimp bead with crimping pliers

String on the following: (1) 6mm and (4) 8mm beads. Slide the wire through the first #3 eye pin Then slide on an 8mm bead & slide the wire through the next #3 eye pin unit (repeat once more) Now slide on the following: (4) 8mm beads, (1) 6mm bead, and a crimp bead. Count (7) 8mm beads away from the right-most 10mm bead. Bring the end of the 12" wire in between the 7th and 8th beads and slide the wire end through the crimp bead & a few beads, forming a loop. Secure the crimp with crimping pliers; trim excess wire.

6. Carefully remove a bead stop. This is the time to adjust the length of the necklace if you want to. Slide on a crimp and one half of your clasp. Slide the wire end back through the crimp & a few beads, forming a loop. Secure the crimp bead. Pop a crimp cover over the crimp and secure it in place. So now you want to do the same steps with the other end of wire: Carefully remove bead stop. Slide on a crimp and the other half of the clasp. Slide the wire back through the crimp & a few beads. Secure the crimp. pop on a crimp cover and secure it. Then just trim any excess wire.