Warning: this project uses beads not intended for children under 14 years of age.
Instructions
(In the pictures below, I’m using black thread for demonstration purposes, but you will probably want to use clear thread.)
- Cut a yard of fishing line, or less if you are more comfortable with a shorter length. Thread 1 beading needle on each end if you choose to use them.
- String 1 end of your clap onto the thread and center it.
- String 3 seed beads on each thread.
- String 1 seed bead onto 1 thread, then cross the other thread through the same bead so the threads come out in opposite directions.
- String 3 more seed beads onto each thread.
- String 1 gold bugle bead onto 1 thread, and then cross the other thread through the same bead so the 2 threads come out in opposite directions.
- Repeat step 6 with 1 purple bugle bead. This is a variant of the ladder stitch.
- String 1 purple bugle bead onto each thread.
- String 1 seed bead onto 1 thread, and then pass the other thread through the same bead so the threads come out in the same direction.
- String 1 purple bugle bead onto each thread.
- Ladder stitch 1 purple bulge bead and 1 gold bulge bead. Now the purple beads will be in the shape of an hourglass.
- Repeat steps 7-11 until you get the length you want. I made twenty total hourglasses for my necklace.
- Repeat step 5 to begin finishing the necklace.
- Repeat step 4.
- String 3 seed beads onto one thread, the other end of the clasp, and then 3 more seed beads.
- Tie a square knot with the 2 threads.
- Weave the ends back through the necklace, tying a half-hitch knot every 2 or 3 beads. After tying 2 half-hitch knots for each thread (3 if you want your necklace really secure) you can cut the excess thread.
Tips
- Why the warning? When you look at the label on a tube or bag of beads, it usually says the contents are not intended for children under the age of 14, or somewhere near that age. Sometimes the packaging will specifically say why there is an age restriction, but other times not. I have seen a few different reasons for the warning, the most common being the possibility of tiny amounts of lead in the beads. But its best just to read the warnings over for yourself. I’m not an expert in this area, but my guess is if you don’t eat the beads or chew on them, you will probably be fine.
- When selecting beads, make sure they are actually dyed rather than coated. Coated beads lose their color after awhile, and will make your project look different. This isn’t always a bad thing, but sometimes that color pop of color is important. Be especially careful of this with metallic beads.
- What’s up with the weird measurement given for seed beads? I’m not exactly sure why seed beads are measured this way, but my guess is it has something to do with the fact seed beads are so tiny, its hard to measure them even in millimeters. But so you can at least make sense of the measuring system, here is a simple explanation: the larger the number next to the 0, the smaller the bead. For example, a 10/0 bead is much smaller than a 6/0.
- Why a magnetic clasp? Fishing line is incredibly strong, so if you get your necklace caught on something, it’s going to take quite a lot of effort to break the thread. A magnetic clasp will help you free yourself much more easily.
- Why fishing line? From my experience, bugle beads, and even some seed beads, are somewhat sharp. These edges will cut through even quilting thread faster than you would expect. Fishing line is much tougher, so it will last longer than other kinds of thread. By using fishing line instead of regular thread, you will be able to wear your necklace for a greater length of time, without having to restring it.
- Why not repeat steps 2-3 when finishing the necklace? The ends of a necklace are where the piece experiences the most strain. If you tie a knot at the clasp, it’s more likely to come loose. But by tieing the knot in a place further into the necklace, the knot has a better chance of staying tight.