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How to Make a Double Strand Necklace, For When One Strand Just Isn’t Enough
This necklace doesn’t have just one beautiful beaded strand, it has two! But don’t let the extra strand fool you, this stunning accessory is super easy to put together. And if you need some inspiration for where to use the beads you made by following my handmade bead tutorial this incredible necklace is a great place to start.
You will need the following tools and materials to make this lovely double strand necklace:
1: Pliers. You will need your round nose pliers, flat nose pliers and cutting pliers to make this necklace.
2: Two jump rings.
If you find yourself fancying the antique brass finish make it a feature of your own designs:
3: One lobster clasp.
4: Tiger tail wire. I used this bronze colored tiger tail wire to make this double strand necklace.
5: Eight crimp beads.
4: Beads of your choice. I used a selection of glass beads in different sizes as well as five handmade clay beads as a feature beads on this necklace.
I love these evil eye beads, you can use them in your own jewelry designs too! Click the link to get your own:
If you are feeling particularly inspired to make your own beads you can order some air dry clay in white or terracotta… too easy!
The Steps:
1: Cut two pieces of tiger tail wire to your desired length. Make sure that one of the pieces is slightly longer than the other to ensure that each strand sits comfortably around your neck when you are wearing your necklace.
2: Add two crimp beads and a jump ring to one end of the first piece of tiger tail wire. (I started with the longest piece of tiger tail wire).
3: Bend the end of the tiger tail wire around the jump ring and through both crimp beads. Pull the wire tight and ensure that the crimp beads are sitting closely to the jump ring.
4: Use the flat nose pliers to squash the crimp beads and secure the jump ring and wire in place.
5: Once the crimp beads have been secured, begin adding beads to the strand of tiger tail wire.
6: Continue beading in your desired pattern. I added 5 large handmade clay beads towards the center of the longer beaded strand.
7: Once the beading has been completed, add two more crimp beads and loop the wire around the second jump ring back through the crimp beads.
8: Pull the wire tight and squash the crimp beads in place using the flat nose pliers.
9: Once the crimp beads have been squashed, use the cutting pliers to trim the excess wire.
10: Once the first strand has been secured, add the second strand to a jump ring at one end of the necklace. Add two crimp beads and loop the tiger tail wire around the jump ring.
11: Squash the crimp beads to secure the tiger tail wire in place using the flat nose pliers.
12: Begin adding beads to the second strand. Continue adding them in your desired pattern until you reach the end of the strand. This strand will be shorter than the first one.
13: Once the beading on the second strand has been completed, add two more crimp beads and loop the end of the tiger tail wire through the jump ring at the other end of the necklace.
14: Pull the wire tight and squash the crimps using the flat nose pliers.
15: Trim the excess tiger tail wire using the cutting pliers.
16: To complete the necklace, open one jump ring and slide on the lobster clasp. Secure the clasp in place by closing the jump ring again.
17: Now your necklace is finished. I bet that making this beauty was far more simple that you thought! How will you style your double stand necklace? You can make this design using lots of different materials and special gemstones, so get creative and make something unique and and special for you!
If you love double strand necklaces we have some more tutorials for you…
- How to make a double chain necklace with bead charms
- How to make a two-tone chain choker
- How to make a double strand necklace from broken headphones
- How to make a double strand string necklace
- How to make a mixed media double strand necklace
This tutorial contains affiliate links.
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Seeking Some Kitschy Cute? You Need To Make These Adorable Bow Earrings!
Sometimes, there is nothing I like more than some adorable kitsch to top off my outfit. These earrings are SUPER cute and very easy to make. Dangle some beautiful earrings from the bottom of some precious little bows and you’ll be looking as sweet as can be.
You will need the following tools and materials to make these cutie pie bow earrings:
1:Pliers. You will need your round nose pliers and cutting pliers to make these bow earrings.
2: Two pre-made fabric bows.
Here are some bows to purchase to make your own lovely bow and bead earrings.
3: Two earring hooks.
You can grab a whole load of earring hooks to create with right here:
4: Two jump rings.
5: Two head pins.
6: Beads of your choice. I chose from this assortment of blue and clear glass beads.
Feeling the blue? Get stuck into this assortment of blue glass beads:
The Steps:
1: Add your chosen beads to each of the head pins. I decided to use blue beads in different shapes for a mismatched look.
2: Bend the pins at a right angle to the beads using the round nose pliers.
3: Trim each pin approximately 1cm (0.4 inches) from the beaded section using the cutting pliers.
4: Use the round nose pliers again to create a loop at the top of each beaded pin. This loop will help to keep the beads in place and allows you to attach the bead charm to the bows.
5: Take a jump ring, open it slightly and carefully push it through the middle section of the bow.
6: Add an earring hook to the ring and secure it in place by carefully closing the jump ring using your pliers.
7: Take one of the bead charms and add it to the opposite end of the bow’s center section. You can do this by carefully it pushing the open charm loop through the middle section of the bow.
8: Close the bead charm loop again using your pliers.
9: Repeat steps 5 to 8 for the second earring. Once you’ve got the second one done your earrings are ready to wear. throw them on to add an adorable and unique element to your daily style.
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Isn’t This a Beauty? Make This Incredibly Simple Ribbon Choker Today!
I’ve already shown you some super simple ways to make jewelry, but this tutorial really takes the cake in the simplicity stakes. This necklace is so easy to make, all you need is a beautiful satin ribbon and a charm of your choice. I used this incredible agate charm that stands out on a silky satin ribbon. This necklace will be a flattering addition to any stylish look.
You will need the following tools and materials to make this choker necklace:
1: A satin ribbon long enough to be tied comfortably around your neck. I used this black satin ribbon.
Shop for some satin ribbon to make this beautiful choker length necklace right here:
2: A charm of your choice. I used this green agate and silver charm.
The Steps:
1: Add the charm to the piece of ribbon.
2: Slide the charm into the center of the ribbon.
3: Your choker necklace is ready to wear! How super easy was that? You’ll be the elegant envy of all your friends in this incredible piece of jewelry.
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Sometimes Simple is Best and These Chain Drop Earrings Are Simplicity At Its Best!
Do you ever feel like bold statement earrings are just too much? I think that simple, sweet earrings are often an elegant choice to accompany a stunning evening outfit. These stunning chain drop earrings are super easy to make and look incredible dangling from any ear lobe. You’ll want to make these earrings in a beautiful assortment of colors so that you can wear them with all your favorite outfits.
You will need the following tools and materials to make these earrings:
1: Pliers. To make these earrings you will need to use round nose pliers and cutting pliers.
2: Two earring hooks.
3: Two short pieces of chain.
4: Two head pins.
5: Two beads of your choice. I used these glittering blue goldstone beads.
Get your own sparkly blue goldstone beads right here:
The Steps:
1: Add each bead to each head pin.
2: Use the round nose pliers to bend each pin at a right angle to the bead.
3: Trim the pins approximately 1cm (0.4 inches) from the bead using your cutting pliers.
4: Bend each pin to form a loop that will secure the bead in place using your round nose pliers.
5: Open each loop slightly and slide a piece of chain onto each bead charm.
6: Close the loops again using the round nose pliers to secure each chain to the bead charms.
7: Attach the other end of the chain to the loop on the end of the earring hook.
8: Secure the chain to the hook by closing the loop at the end of the earring hook. Repeat steps Seven and Eight for the second earring. Once each earring hook has been attached your earrings are complete, how easy was that?
9: Pop them on and watch the compliments roll in! I bet these earrings will be a guaranteed winner in the style stakes.
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Feeling Romantic? Here’s Some Valentine’s Day DIY Inspiration!
Do you want to make sure that your honey receives something EXTRA special this Valentine’s Day? If the answer is a big loud YES then have I’ve got some sweet DIY jewelry gift ideas for you.
If you’re anything like me, you know that there is nothing more special than giving someone a beautiful gift that you made yourself. If you’ve got a spare afternoon you’ll be able to whip up one of these beautiful DIY jewelry gifts for your special someone ready to impress them on Valentine’s day this Sunday.
Check out these adorable Valentine’s Day gift ideas:
1: Make a special piece of jewelry using a souvenir from a memorable trip.
Use a key chain or a charm purchased overseas to make a stunning and sentimental piece of jewelry.
2: Make a special charm bracelet featuring charms that are meaningful to yourself and your significant other.
I honestly cannot think of any item of jewelry that is more sentimental than a charm bracelet, so surely one that you’ve made yourself will be the most romantic treat! If the idea of giving a unique charm bracelet this Valentine’s Day tickles your fancy, here is my easy charm bracelet tutorial so you can make one of your very own.
Alternatively you could try and make this special beaded charm bracelet, ensuring that your chosen charm stands out on the wrist of your beloved.
3: Make something together!
What could be more romantic than creating a special memory making some incredible jewelry together? Pick a tutorial, some pretty materials and get to making. You could even make pieces for each other, how cute is that? I recommend that you make these diamond drop earrings together… Because diamonds that you make yourself are sure to last forever!
4. Celebrate your friends with friendship bracelets.
If you don’t have a special someone in your life this Valentine’s Day, why not celebrate some fabulous friends instead. Show them your appreciation and create a memento of your friendship by making them a beautiful and sweet friendship bracelet. Try making this braided charm connector friendship bracelet, or have some fun with some shiny glass beads and make this classic bracelet design for all the wonderful friends in your life.
These are just a few ideas for sweet handmade gifts that you can give to your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, and if you are REALLY stuck for ideas, try making my cute Valentine’s bracelet. Happy making, they’ll love you for it!
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Need Some Valentine’s Day Inspiration? Make Your Honey This Sweet Bracelet
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and if you are stuck for ideas as to what to get your someone special you might want to give this tutorial a go. This bracelet is super special and easy to make, I made mine using some beautiful rose quartz (the gemstone that is meant to represent unconditional love) but you can use any bead or stone that is special to you and your loved one. Cue the love heart eyes and adorable smiles, this is bracelet a beauty.
You will need the following tools and materials to make this stunning Valentine’s bracelet:
1: Pliers. You will need your round nose, flat nose and cutting pliers to make this bracelet.
Don’t have any pliers yet? Get some here.2: A piece of chain long enough to fit comfortably around your wrist.
3: One lobster clasp.
4: Tiger tail wire.
5: Four crimp beads.
6: Beads of your choice. I used these round rose quartz beads and some silver colored spacer beads.
Want to use Rose Quartz too? Get some pretty pink beads here:
The Steps:
1: Attach the lobster clasp to the piece of chain.
2: Measure out a length of tiger tail wire slightly longer than the length of your chain. (This will ensure that your bracelet fits comfortably).
3: Cut the tiger tail wire to length using the cutting pliers.
4: Add two crimp beads to the wire and thread the wire through the end of the bracelet chain.
5: bend the wire and thread the end through the crimp beads.
6: Use the flat nose pliers to squash the crimp beads and secure the wire in place.
7: Begin adding beads to the wire.
8: Continue adding beads until you reach your desired length, then add two more crimp beads.
9: Thread the end of the wire through the end of the bracelet chain and back through the crimp beads.
10: Use the pliers to squash the crimp beads and secure the strand in place.
11: Trim the excess wire using the cutting pliers.
12: Once you have trimmed the excess wire your sweet Valentine’s day bracelet is complete! Make this adorable bracelet and you will be sure to impress, what could be sweeter than a handmade Valentine’s day gift for that special person in your life?
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Wear Your Adventures: Taking DIY Jewelry Inspiration From Your Travels
While on my own travels I have been inspired to share my tips for acquiring special jewelry making materials while on the go! Traveling is so wonderful for so many reasons, but I think that one of the most exciting things about traveling to new places is the opportunity to obtain some beautiful and special DIY jewelry supplies. I have been lucky enough to travel to some wonderful destinations and I almost always return home with a suitcase full of beads, pendants, charms and stones. Jewelry making materials that I have brought home from overseas travels always hold an extra special quality about them; anything I make with them will instantly remind me of the places I’ve been and the wonderful experiences I had there.
Here are some of my tips and tricks for collecting DIY jewelry making materials while you are traveling.
1: Visit markets. I almost always find beautiful and affordable jewelry making materials when I visit markets in any city. Don’t be afraid to sift through trays of assorted knick-knacks and vintage findings, you never know what treasures you might find inside.
I got this rhinestone charm for one Euro at an Amsterdam market. 
This ring was made with a shell button that I found at a market in Papeete, French Polynesia. 2: Repurpose pre-made pieces. Sometimes I will buy beaded bracelets or necklaces that I later take apart so that I can use the materials in my own designs. If you love the beads on a piece but you don’t love the design, don’t be afraid to make that purchase… you can always dismantle it and make something super special later.
These pearl beads came from a bracelet that I bought in French Polynesia that later fell apart. 3: Key chains can make for wonderful pendants. Key chains aren’t usually made in the finest of materials, but if you are looking for a souvenir that you will actually use, you could try turning a key chain charm into a cute pendant to hang around your neck instead.
This citrine charm was originally a key chain that I purchased in Banff, Canada. 4: Visit small or hidden stores. Smaller stores often stock all sorts of goodies that you might not normally see in larger stores or chain stores. Like markets, smaller, locally owned stores are likely to be the places where you find the real DIY treasures!
I found this pretty charm in a little store in San Gimignano, Italy. 6: Just explore. Get out there are wander around, you are bound to stumble upon something wonderful to take home and turn into amazing, one of a kind jewelry designs.
8: Use your travels as inspiration for your own special jewelry designs.
- You can use the colors you saw on your travels as inspiration for new bead combinations.
- Look at what the locals are wearing, their everyday style could influence yours
- Consider using new materials; collect fabric samples, new beads, metal charms and small decorative items to incorporate into your designs.
I bought these glass fish beads on a trip to Hawaii. 
These pretty lace agate beads were also found in Banff, Canada.
