Multi-strand jewelry is often bold and striking, with the multiple strands of coordinating beads and baubles that make up the necklace or bracelet. Often the strands of a multi-strand piece vary with some being chunkier and others being fine strands that complement the larger strands. As you create a multi-strand piece, connect the strands together before you connect them to the clasps on each end of the jewelry to keep the construction simple and easy to wear.
- Skill level:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things you need
- Beading wire (0.15 or .018 gauge)
- Ruler
- Wire clippers
- Spacer beads (2 for each strand of beading wire)
- Crimp beads (2 for each strand of beading wire)
- Crimping pliers
- 2 jump rings (3 mm size)
- Beads (assorted sizes and colors)
- Chain-nose pliers
- Jewelry clasp
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1
Measure and cut strands of beading wire the length you wish to make your jewelry piece plus 4 inches. Cut a length of beading wire for each strand of the multi-strand piece with the wire clippers.
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2
Thread a crimp bead and a spacer bead onto the end of one strand of beading wire. Push the two pieces approximately 3 inches from one end of the wire. Insert the same end of wire through a jump ring and then back through the spacer bead and the crimp bead. Pull the wire taut so the spacer bead and crimp bead are snugly against the jump ring and only approximately 1 inch of wire extends out from the end of the crimp bead. Crimp the crimp bead with the crimping pliers to secure the beading wire to the jump ring.
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3
Repeat the previous step to attach each length of beading wire to the same jump ring. Clip off the excess beading wires extending out from the crimped crimp beads with the wire clippers.
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4
Thread the beads onto the strands extending out from the jump ring in whatever design or pattern you desire. Continue adding beads to the wires until you have approximately 1.5 inches of empty wires left at the other ends of the wires.
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5
Add a crimp bead and a spacer bead to each wire and repeat the same process from Step 2 to attach these strands of wire to the second jump ring. Clip off the excess wire extending from the crimped crimp beads with the wire clippers.
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6
Open one jump ring with the chain-nose pliers and attach the jump ring to one-half of the jewelry clasp. Close the jump ring with the pliers. Repeat the same process with the other jump ring and the other half of the jewelry clasp to finish the multi-strand jewelry piece.
