Make This - Beaded Bead Necklace

Making a large bead out of small beads is the kind of thing everyone should know how to do because the concept is just so cool. If you've made the beaded rings we featured previously you already have all the skills you need to make this.


I still had the beads I used for the brick stitch diamond pendant out and I couldn't resist making something else with them. I love those colors.


Supplies and Equipment:

- seed beads - these are matte opaque size 15 in cream, seafoam, robin's egg and black (consider swaping them for size 11 beads - they're much easier if you're new to beading)
- thread - this is nymo in size OO
- beading needle
- sharp scissors
- jump ring
- necklace chain with clasp

This is the pattern I used. Feel free to use it as well, or grab a sheet of beading graph paper and design your own! Using an even number of beads (as I did with this pattern) will make it easier, but if your pattern is better suited to an odd number of beads this will help.

This tutorial isn't incredibly in depth because this bead is made exactly the same way these beaded rings are made. The only real difference is proportion - this piece of beadwork is wider and requires fewer rows of work. Use that tutorial, but with this pattern instead.


String on your first row of beads.


Turn, and work back, being careful not to twist your piece.






Continue working back and forth until the desired width is reached, and be sure to stop at the end of a pattern repeat.


Stitch the piece closed. If your necklace already has a clasp you might want to stitch this closed around the chain instead of threading it on later.


Weave your tails in well and trim the threads.


Slide the bead onto the chain and wear it!