How To Make A Bead Bar Necklace
Bead bar necklaces are so popular right now!
We show you how easy it is to make your own necklace using your favourite gemstone beads in any shape or size. This project requires little tools and supplies, giving you the chance to jump into jewellery making and experiment with wire-wrapping techniques.
Watch our video tutorial below and get all the jewellery supplies you need online with Kernowcraft.
You will need:
- Your choice of gemstone beads
- Sterling silver wire (in this project we've used 0.3mm wire - just make sure the wire will fit through the gemstone bead)
- Round nose pliers - for forming loops in the wire
- Snipe nose pliers - for holding the wire while manipulating
- Side cutters - for cutting the wire
Watch Our Tutorial Below On How To Make A Bead Bar Necklace
Main steps to remember:
1. Firstly, find the half way point in ready made chain and cut it in half using side cutters.
2. Next, take about 10cm of 0.3mm round wire (check it fits through the bead holes). You may wish to harden the wire a little before use as it is quite fine and flexible. An easy way to do this is to hold either end of the wire with snipe nose pliers and twist gently in opposite directions, you will notice after twisting a few times the wire will feel a little stiffer.
3. Now use round nose pliers to form a loop about 2cm down from one end. Thread one end of the chain into the loop and then create a tight neat coil with the wire by wrapping the shorter end around itself. For a detailed step by step instruction including clear photographs to help you learn the technique click here.
4. Next, start to thread the beads onto the wire. You can decide on the length of the bar that you want for your design, you can either use the full amount of beads or a shorter length.
5. After threading on the beads, leave enough wire on the other end (about 2cm) to complete the necklace by using the same wire wrapping technique to attach the wire onto the other side of the chain and wrap around the wire neatly to secure.
Shop Supplies & Be Inspired...
The beauty of bead bar necklaces is that you customise them with your favourite gemstones, in any shape and size you like! You just need to check that the size of wire will fit through the hole of the bead. Discover our range of gemstone beads, wire and chain below to suit your style. You will also find a range of bead bar designs in our Jewellery Making Kits section, with step by step instructions, a shopping list and recommended tools.
Shop Gemstone Beads >
Choose your favourite gemstone beads to use in your bead bar designs! There are so many shapes and sizes to choose from.
Why not also add in some metal beads too for extra decoration!
Shop Jewellery Wire >
Sterling silver wire is one of our favourite metals to use for wire wrapping as it's a lovely metal to manipulate and shape. Although you can also choose from other metals such as plated, brass, copper and gold. For bead bar necklaces, we suggest using 0.3mm wire for most small beads or if you're using larger beads which tend to have large holes, a 0.5mm wire might be more suitable. For more information on choosing wire for jewellery making, read our advice page.
Shop Jewellery Chain >
Jewellery chain comes in a variety of styles and for a bead bar necklace, you need to ensure the links in your chain are large enough for the wire to go through. Our top favourite chains for this are medium trace chain and belcher chain.
Shop Jewellery Pliers & Cutters >
For a bead bar you only need a few pliers to help you! This includes round nose pliers for forming loops, snipe nose pliers for holding and manipulating the wire and side cutters for cutting the wire.
Get Creative! Use The Same Technique To Incorporate Into Bracelet & Earring Designs
The products used in this project are suggestions to inspire you. Products used were compatible at the time of making but do be aware that stocks can vary, so do use your own judgement as to the compatibility of each item when making.
Also in this section:
- Your Guide To Bead Stringing Materials For Jewellery Making
- The Essential Tools For Beading
- Beading: How To Start Jewellery Making With Lyndsey
- Answering Commonly Asked Beading Questions
- Types Of Beads For Jewellery Making
- The Difference Between Half Drilled, Top Drilled And Head Drilled Beads
- How To Use Top Drilled Beads
- Jewellery Making With Half Drilled Beads
- What Are Briolette Beads & How To Use Them
- Stringing Beads With Small Holes
- How To Make Your Bead Holes Bigger With A Bead Reamer
- Types Of Clasps For Jewellery Making
- 8 Reasons You Need A Bead Board
- How To Make A Sliding Knot
- Advice On Knotting Elastic Stretch Magic Thread
- How To Use Flex-Rite Jewellery Wire
- How To Use Crimps
- How To Make A Silkon Thread Briolette Necklace
- How To Make A Necklace With Beading Chain
- 4 Ways To Use Gemstone Donuts
- 4 Gemstone Chip Bead Project Ideas
- How To Use End Caps For Jewellery Making
- How To Make Earwires With Gemstone Beads
- How To Make A Memory Wire Bracelet
- How To Make Gemstone Bead Earrings
- How To Make A Bead Bar Necklace
- How To Make Beaded Bracelet With Flex-Rite Wire & Wire Guardians
- DIY Gemstone Friendship Bracelets
- How To Make A Beaded Bracelet With Knot Covers
- How To Make Polymer Clay Earrings
- How To Make Felt Jewellery
- DIY Mini Tassels & Jewellery Projects
HAVE A QUESTION?
If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team who will be more than happy to give you advice over email or on the phone.
You can learn more and find inspiration by visiting our Jewellery Making Tutorials, Jewellery Making Kits and YouTube Channel. Don't forget to follow us on social media and tag us in your designs on Instagram & Facebook, we would love to see