Strung Beads and Chain Necklace

Adding chain to a beaded strung necklace gives the piece added texture, depth and design that can really help to take the piece to another place. It also can be chain around the back so the necklace is not strung with gemstones the entire way helping to stretch your gemstones across numerous pieces. Also great if you just don't quite have enough or also want to make a bracelet and matching earrings. It gives you the option of making less chunky pieces and can somewhat replicate the look of wire wrapping for those who do not know how to yet! 

Chain and Beads Necklace Tutorial

Materials:

Chain

Beads – various shapes

Pendant

Crimps

Beading Wire

Clasp

Tools:

Flush Cutters

Chainnose Pliers or Crimpers

Steps:

1. Use a jump ring or a bail to create a hanger for the pendant

2. Thread the beading wire through the bail or jump ring.

3. Work on both sides of the necklace at once by threading the beading wire through a bead on each side of the pendant.

4. Determine the necklace length and cut the chain to that length allowing for the length of the clasp you have chosen.

5. Find the center of the chain and place this above the pendant. Measure the chain to a length on the outside of each of the side beads and take the beading wire through a link in the chain.

6. String several beads of your choice on each side of the necklace.

7. Feed the beading wire through an appropriate link in the chain.

8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you have all the beads you want for your necklace.

9. Feed the beading wire through a link in the chain and back through a crimp.

10. Secure the crimp.

11. Attach the clasp to the ends of the chain.

12. Add dangles to each side of the pendant securing them through the chain if desired.

There are a lot of ways to take this to other places. You can dangle the chain across the surface of the pendant, wrap a cabochon and link the chain into the cabochon. You can add multiple chains as well and run them through the beading wire less often so it appears to be a mutli strand necklace. Below I have a few pictures of jewelry incorporating chain and beading wire.

Tutorial by Szarka Carter

Written by Karen meador

Photos by Tera Carter

**Contributing authors are noted and linked to in the articles they wrote. All articles are copyright. You can reprint these articles as long as the original author is sited and a link to their site and this website is included. The name Magpie Gemstones must be used as the hypertext.