Making Jewelry by Stringing Beads on Bead Stringing Wire -- Page 2

Overview:  The first steps in this jewelry making project are to cut the 20 or 22 gauge jewelry wire that will ultimately be used to connect to the clasp and to begin shaping this wire.  Once we have a loop in one end of the jewelry wire, we can use that wire to connect to our bead stringing wire. That connection is made using crimp beads and bead crimping pliers. 

We made this necklace by connecting one end of the bead stringing wire to the loop in the jewelry wire and stringing our beads on the opposite end of the bead stringing wire.  For some people, it may be easier to string beads from the middle of the bead stringing wire.  That is perfectly fine, but our instructions will describe how we strung the beads by fixing one end and stringing from the opposite end. 

Once the beads are fully strung, you will need to connect your bead stringing wire to a similar loop in jewelry wire on the opposite end.  This project is finished by adding end cone findings to either end and then connecting the jewelry wire to the clasp on either end.  For this project we used a magnetic clasp because it is just so easy to put on and take off a necklace with a magnetic clasp.

Step 1:  Using your flush cutter, cut two segments of 20 or 22 gauge wire, each 3.5 inches long.  With a gold filled clasp and gold filled end cone findings, we recommend using 1/2 hard 20 or 22 gauge gold filled wire although soft wire will certainly work if you don't have 1/2 hard.  Brass wire will also work.

Step 2:  Using your nylon jaw pliers, straighten both segments of wire.

Step 3:  Grasp the wire with your bent chain nose pliers about 3/4" from one end of the wire and using your thumb, make a 90 degree bend in the wire as shown at right. 

Step 4:  Using your round nose pliers make a loop in the wire at the bend in the wire.  Visit our beginner's jewelry making instructions here if you have any questions about how to make this loop.  As shown in our beginners instructions, making the loop is a two step process.  To complete the loop you will need to bend the wire about 180 degrees, reposition the wire in your pliers and then complete the loop.  Make as small a loop as you can comfortably.  When you have completed the loop your wire should appear as shown at left. 

These instructions continue on the following page.