Read Wisely
Directions. Arrange chronologically the procedures in making a beaded necklace. Put A for the first step, B for the second, and so on. Write your answer on the blank provided before each number.
_______ A. Place the end of the stringing material through the clasp section and then the beadcrimp-bead combo and use the crimping tool/chain nose pliers to crimp the bead in place.
_______ B. Place one end of the clasp (the jump ring) on after the crimp bead and make a loop with the stringing material.
_______ C. Slide a tiny bead on the threading material, then the crimping bead, then another tiny bead about 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so down.
_______ D. Gather 2 crimp beads, 1 clasp, and the beads for the desired necklace.
_______ E. Before cutting your thread or wire, determine the length of your necklace and add 48 inches (10-20 cm), so that you have enough to connect the clasp to the stringing materials.
_______ F. Gather your stringing materials. The best kinds are flexible beading wire and beading thread. Look for wire that has 19, 21 or 49 strands of stainless steel wire, coated with nylon. (Strands that only have 3 or 7 wires will kink easily.) Beading thread is a great option if you are stringing lightweight beads and it comes in several different colors.
_______ G. Crimp the second end and cut the stringing material with slush cutters. It is not recommended that you cut the wire too close to the crimp bead. 1 inch (2.5 cm) of wire, carefully hidden in the bead holes, is good insurance against breakage.
_______ H. Use a clasp section/ jump ring and the beadcrimp-bead combo and try to push the remaining stringing material into the bead holes below the crimp bead. Be careful not to pull the stringing material too tight. Leave a small amount of slack in the necklace (2-4 mm or 1/4 inch). This leaves room for the beads to move and rotate, so they don't rub on each other or the stringing material too much. If the stringing material is too tight the necklace will be rigid and this can make the design look angular instead of slightly rounded like a necklace should be.
_______ I. When you are satisfied, string them onto your necklace. Be sure to leave about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) of stringing material at the end.
_______ J. Choose your beads and lay out your design before stringing; using a beading board can be beneficial allowing the design to be laid out and measured before stringing.
_______ K. If using bead thread, you may wish to put a dot of super glue of hypo cement on either end to ensure that the beads and crimp stay on.) These steps will protect the stringing material from rubbing on the ends of the crimp bead, which may cause the necklace to break.
_______ L. Place the end of the stringing material through the clasp section and then the beadcrimp-bead combo and use the crimping tool/chain nose pliers to crimp the bead in place.