How to Make a Wooden Bead Necklace
The finished necklace
After having a bag of navy blue wooden beads lying around for ages, I’ve finally come up with a design for a necklace that I’m happy with. If you like it, maybe you could make one too. Here’s what you’ll need:
The supplies
- Wooded beads (I used 11, but you could use more or less, it’s up to you)
- Braided cotton thonging 2 m should be plenty
- Toggle clasp
- Craft glue
Divide the thonging into two lengths and thread and tie both lengths together in a knot about 17 cm or so from the end of the thonging. Treating the two lengths of thonging as one, thread a bead onto the thonging, loop it around the bead and back through the hole then tie a knot in the thonging to secure the bead.
Separate the two lengths of thonging and treat them individually so your necklace will have two layers of beads at the front. Play around threading beads onto each strand of thonging to create a design you like. I decided on having five beads fairly close together on one strand, and four beads spaced a little further apart on the other strand. I attached each bead securely by threading the thonging through the bead, back around the bead and through the hole again and then knotting the remaining length of thonging around the loop that goes back around the bead. (This is the same way I attached the first bead to the two strands.) It might sound a bit complicated, but follow the photos through each step of the process.
Loop the thonging around the bead and back through the hole again
Begin tying a knot around the loop that is going around the bead
Pull the loop around the bead tight, leaving the knot still loose
Pull the knot tight so the bead is nice and secure
Once you’re happy with the placement and number of beads on each of the strands of thonging, hold both strands together again to attach one last bead. When I did this, I pulled on of the lengths slightly shorter than the other, so that the shorter strand will sit a little just above the other strand when worn around my neck. Once your happy with the length, knot the two lengths of thonging together, thread a bead onto the two strands, loop the thonging around the bead and knot it in the same manner as you have for attaching the other beads.
Tie a final bead on both strands
Tie the toggle clasp to the ends of the thonging about 13 cm from the last bead, although you could make it longer or shorter if you like. Add a little bit of craft glue to the knots where the toggle is attached to make use it’s really secure and then cut off the excess thonging.
Tie on the clasp
The necklace is now finished!
Finished necklace
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A lovely necklace.. love seeing the process on how things are made
Great idea! I never think to make jewelry for myself but you’ve inspired me!
So simple yet so beautiful.
Btw, love the pic on your blog header.
Although I really love to create jewelries from crystal beads myself, however, I have always known that my own skill is very limited. Therefore, I tried my very best to do some research on beading ideas online and the search engine brought me to your post. I am really thankful for it because your ideas are definitely interesting. I really enjoyed this article. I have never thought of doing it this way and I would love to give it a try soon. Personally, I find crystal beads are great to use in my beading as they are so versatile and elegant. Thanks for sharing these tips and information with us. I will keep an eye on your websites for more ideas. Thank you so much!