Have you ever thought you would enjoy making your own unique bead necklaces, bracelets, and earrings? It’s a lot of fun and nobody will have one exactly like yours unless you copy a pattern. You can make up any design you like, but watch out, everyone will start asking where you found your beautiful necklace and where they can get one just like it. Be prepared to give lessons to your friends or keep your own little secret. It’s not hard to learn to bead and it will give you many hours of creative enjoyment.

Beads are made of many things,a few are, minerals, amber, pearl, gemstones, metal, glass, plastic, wood,and bone. If you have any questions ask your sales clerk. Tell her you are a beginner and she will be able to help you find the things you will need to get started. She will be quiet knowledgeably and will have answers to your questions. You might also find a beading class at your craft store if you are interested in taking classes.

First go to a craft store and buy your supplies. You will find prices low to high. I would start off with the lower priced beads but please yourself. You might check your phone book to see if any whole sale outlets are listed. You can find beautiful old beads at thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets that you can unstring and make your own creations. You can make many variations using different sizes, types, and colors. It is meditative and you can get lost in your work. If you are not satisfied with your first pieces, just unstring them and start over.

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You can buy your tools separately or buy a tool kit. A kit is less expensive in the long run. You will have everything included that you will ever need and it comes in a neat little case. I have had mine for years and I’ve never needed to add to it or replace anything.

Primary beads will make up the larger part of your necklace so buy more of these. You will accent your primary beads at the intervals you choose so buy eight to twelve accent beads for each necklace. If you like you can choose a large bead for the focal point, although many necklaces use the same bead throughout. It’s your choice.

Now it’s time to choose your thread. You will want a good strong thread but small enough to go through the smallest bead. Silk is recommended but from my own experience nylon does just as well. I have used cotton thread and none of my necklaces have broken. When you make a chunky heavy necklace you will need beading wire. If you use a colorful thread you might want to use it as an accent, if you want it to show use matching colored beads or a contrasting color. Either way will work well. It’s your fashion statement.

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To finish out your necklace you will need, bead tips and caps, clasps, crimp beads, clear finger nail polish, and, wax. I run my thread over a candle, and I use clear finger nail polish instead of glue. You can use what you had rather. You might make a list of these items and the sales person will help you find everything you need. Don’t let this list scare you. You will get many items in one package. You can buy a special threading needle but I use a fine sewing needle and have never had a problem..

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Get out your supplies and find a table with good lighting.

Thread your needle and make a strong knot.

String through the bead tip.

It looks like a tiny basket with a hooked handle.

Lay out the beads in the order you want to string them.

Put in your accent and center beads where it pleases you

If your necklace doesn’t look right you might need spacers.”tiny beads”

When you are finished stringing your beads, string through a bead tip from the outside to the inside, cut the thread the length you wanted, and tighten the beads on the strand, making sure there are no gaps but leaving enough slack so they drape nicely.

Knot the end of your thread and apply clear nail polish to make the knots stronger.

Press the halves of the bead tip together with your chain nose pliers, enclosing the knot.

Use your round nosed pliers to roll the bead tip hook tightly around the loop of your clasp.

Now, isn’t that first necklace gorgeous?