Bead It: Asymmetrical Necklace DIY

Anyone that knows me personally also knows that I am a teeny tiny bit obsessed with necklaces. I always, always, always have a necklace on. I even bring a handful of necklaces with me when I’m traveling. I do the straw trick to make sure they don’t get tangled up in my bag.

So, no surprise… I have quite the collection going at this point. BUT there is always room for one more. So, I worked with my assistant, Linda, to make / design a long, asymmetrical necklace that can be worn during the day or at night.

The process is pretty simple, but is a little more involved than just stringing some beads onto a chain. You’ve been warned. Haha. I promise it’s still really easy though.

Here’s how to make your own asymmetrical necklace…

Materials:

-Beads
-21-strand coated beading wire (like Beadalon or Soft Flex)
-Metal chain
-Metal crimp beads (1mm width)
-Crimping tool
-Wire nippers

How To:

1. Select the beads you want to use. For my necklace, I’m using wood, peach aventurine, agate, serpentine, and coco beads.

2. Arrange the beads on a flat surface.

3. Cut a length of beading wire that’s about twice the length of your bead design.

4. Attach the beading wire to the end of the chain. To do that, put a crimp bead on the beading wire. Then pass about 2″ of beading wire through the last link of the chain. Now take the beading wire back through the crimp bead to create a small loop. Close the crimp bead using the crimping tool. Use the wire nippers to trim the excess tail from the shorter side of the beading wire.

5. String the beads onto the beading wire.

6. Holding both the beading wire and the chain, determine the length that you like best and mark it on the chain. At a table, cut the chain to the length you marked.

7. Similar to before, put a crimp bead onto the loose end of the beading wire. Pass that beading wire through the chain. Take the beading wire back through the crimp bead to create a small loop.

8. Close the crimp bead with the crimping tool.

9. Use the wire nippers to the trim the excess beading wire.

And here’s the finished necklace…

Crafting and Modeling by Linda Jednaszewski
Photography and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff

What’s your latest jewelry obsession? Earrings, rings, bracelets?… Curious to know.