Introduction
Making your own customized beaded jewelry is indeed a great fun hobby. This hobby can be an outlet for your creativity, allowing you to express your inner artist in a relaxing and enjoyable way. Making customized beaded jewelry all by yourself is something practical, and it allows you to make handmade custom pieces that you can gift to your friends and family. We know that as a beginner, you have no idea how to get started. Reading this blog will solve all your doubts when it comes to making custom beaded jewelry.
Using The Right Tools
Before you start making your own custom beaded jewelry, you need to purchase the right, high-quality tools. You will find yourself unable to create high-quality pieces if you purchase those tools that are not that great. Even advanced jewelry makers cannot create stunning pieces of custom beaded jewelry as long as they don’t have the right, high-quality tools. Here are a few tools that you would need:
- Round-nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Flat-nose pliers
- A bead organizer
- Adhesive, such as the E-6000
- Crimping pliers
- A ruler/tape measure
You might find yourself tempted to get a few tools from your home to get the work done. Things such as pliers and rulers are some examples. Here, you need to note that even the pliers are of different types, and not all would be suitable for the job of creating custom beaded jewelry. You need only specialty piers that are designed to do the job. Trust us, by investing in the right tools, you will be able to create better-looking beaded jewelry pieces for your project.
Purchase Materials That Are High-Quality
Once you gather the right tools, you need to purchase the best, high-quality materials. At this particular step, you can allow your creativity to shine. You can select beads that will allow you to make jewelry that showcases your own unique style. Remember to always, always, buy high-quality beads and other materials. The problem with cheaper materials, such as cheaper beads is, that they can break, or they might not give you the right look for your beaded jewelry. Some of the materials that you will need in making your own custom beaded jewelry are as follows:
- A variety of beads (such as beads of various gemstones, like amethyst beads, citrine beads, emerald beads, garnet beads, labradorite beads, lapis beads, larimar beads, moonstone beads, opal beads, tourmaline beads, etc.)
- Memory wire
- Beading cord
- Ear wires
- Clasps and toggles
- A beading needle
- Headpins and eye pins
- Beading wire
- Beading thread
- Crimp beads
- Fire-polished beads
- Beading thread
- Super glue
- Closure for necklace
While buying beads, beware of purchasing pre-packaged beading kits that are available in various stores. The problem with them is, that although they are convenient, they are not cost-effective. All you will receive is beads of lower quality that are not suitable for your project. If you want your beaded jewelry to be of really great quality, consider purchasing crystal beads, glass beads, and beads of different gemstones. If you plan to sell your creations, then note that customers prefer crystal, glass, and gemstone beads over plastic and lucite beads.
Quick Guide: Making A Custom Beaded Necklace
Preparation & Planning Phase
Now that you know all the basics, you need to put all this information into creating your own custom beaded necklace. If you found the process of collecting various materials for your jewelry to be boring, don’t worry, creating your jewelry will be fun, because here, you are creating something that reflects your personal style.
First, determine the necklace style you want to create. Also, note down the length of the necklace you are making. If you prefer shorter necklaces, then you should think of making a collar or a choker. If you prefer longer chains, you can think of making a lariat-length necklace. Also, don’t limit yourself to the standard lengths of the necklace you are making – it is acceptable to set a custom length and style for the necklace you are making. And remember, the finished beaded necklace will include the beads as well as the jewelry clasp of the piece.
In case you are confused about the right length for your necklace, then measure the length of your neck. Use a flexible tape for measuring the length by making a loop around your neck. Use this measurement to get a rough idea of the length of the necklace you will be making. It is a good way to judge what would look best on you.
Layout And Design
Once you are done with the planning stage, it is time to move on to the design and layout. Before you string the beads, first arrange them on a flat surface, such as a table. You should play with the layout of the beads until you find the design that you find is perfect. If you want to use different color combinations, or perhaps multiple layers of string, do that, but don’t be scared to try out new things. If you are making a choker, it will wrap around your neck a couple of times, but if you are making a lariat, it will be made in one long loop.
The next step is to break out the beadboard. Use a beadboard on a flat surface to determine the positioning of stringing beads, and improve your design skills. Also, remember to measure the length of the necklace as you place the beads on the beadboard. Most of the beadboard available in the market allow you to place your beads at the number zero and then measure the length of the necklace using the dashes and numbers present on the side of the board. You can lay out all the beads in the correct order using channels. The tray inserts present on the beadboard can be used to hold the beads as well as other components.
It is recommended that when you want to determine the length of your custom beaded necklace, increase its length by an additional 6 inches. For instance, if you are making a dollar necklace, then you need to cut 22 inches (16 inches plus 6 inches). After this, you need to gather two crimp beads, a clasp, and beads for your customized beaded necklace. With all these, you can begin the process of threading the beads.
Construction
In this phase, you need to start building your creation and allow your inner artist to express freely. Along with the crimping bead, slide one bead on the string. Then, add another bead to the string (or thread). These stages of developing your custom beaded necklace do not help in transferring the pattern, however, they do assist in fastening the necklace. Post this, you should take the end of the jump ring (or the clasp) and join it with the crimping bead for constructing the loop with the stringing material.
Now, you have to thread the end of the stringing material with the clasp and add the bead-crimp-bead combination. Take the nose pliers or crimping tool in your hand to crimp the beads into this position. In case you are employing the use of bead thread, you may need to apply a dot of super glue to ensure that the crimp and beads remain in their original and intended place. If you go exactly according to the method mentioned in this guide, it will help you keep the stringing materials from rubbing against the crimp bead’s end, which, in the worst-case scenario, can cause the necklace to break.
The next step is to slide your design onto the string. After you have a proper pattern, you need to remove one bead at a time and lay it on the thread. Make sure that you always leave around 3 to 4 inches of stringing material at both ends. You may now employ the use of clasp or jump ring and bead-crimp-bead combinations to force the remaining materials into the bead holes.
Here is an extra tip: make sure that you never tighten the thread too tight on the necklace. You need to always allow a little bit of slack, so that the beads may spin and move, and never rub against each other on the necklace. If you string the beads in an excessively tight manner, then the design will look angular, and it will never have a gentle rounded look like any usual necklace.
Now, crimp the second end of the necklace and cut the stringing material with a slush cutter. Never, ever trim the materials that are near the crimp beads. Always maintain at least 1 inch of wire to prevent the necklace from breaking. You are now finished with creating your custom beaded necklace. You can wear it anywhere, and be ready to receive compliments for all the hard work you put in. We hope that this customized beaded necklace will encourage you to produce more customized beaded jewelry in the future.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned the basics of how to create your own customized beaded jewelry, you can go and create your own designs. Crafting beaded jewelry is indeed a fun hobby that you can enjoy for years to come. Are you a jewelry retailer, interested in purchasing custom beaded jewelry? If yes, then you can browse the official website of Rananjay Exports for their beaded jewelry as well as gemstone jewelry and 925 sterling silver jewelry. Their gemstone jewelry comes in a wide variety of more than 250+ natural gemstones, and in their sterling silver jewelry, you can find, birthstone jewelry, chakra jewelry, as well as sea life jewelry. Rananjay Exports is India’s top wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturer and supplier, and it does not matter whether you want casting jewelry, handmade jewelry, or designer jewelry – Rananjay Exports will meet all your needs.
