Make Easy Multi-Strand Beaded Necklaces

Multi-strand necklaces are a great way to take your jewelry making to the next level. Additionally these necklaces can be easy to make if you wish them to by. You can be whipping out a number of different types of multi-strand necklaces for great looks that you can wear, give as gifts, or even sell if you wish.

Basic.
You can make a very basic multi-strand necklace really easily. You will need nylon coated beading wire, crimp beads, beads of your choices (anything will do, but you don't want to get too heavy), a clasp, scissors, and a crimp plier. A good glue can also provide additional safety for your easy to make multi-strand necklace, I recommend Bead Fix which dries quickly, strong, and without leaving a residue on your beads or components.

Directions.
To make your multi-strand necklace you will want to cut out the number of strands that you wish to use. Each of them should be about five inches longer then the finished length that you desire the piece to be. You may want all of the strands to be the same length or you may want them to each be a little longer then the one before it. This is a design choice that is up to you. Once you have cut out your strands you will want to hold one end of each strand together. Then fold it over so that there is about 1.5 inches on one side and the entire length of the necklace on the other side. Slide one half of your clasp onto the wire so that it rests in the middle of your fold. Then slide a crimp bead over all of the strands of wire for your easy multi-strand necklace and the wires in the folded side. Push tight against the clasp and crimp the bead.

To crimp the bead you will need to place it in the first notch of the crimp pliers. This is closest to the handle. Then you will want to squeeze the handle and crush the bead. This will give your crushed bead the look of a crescent moon or a flattened bead with a dimple in one side. You will want the crescent or dimpled side to face to the side as you place the bead into the second notch. Crush the bead. This time it will make the bead fold in on itself. Place it in the tip of the crimp pliers and carefully tighten the bead. Make sure you don't squeeze to hard or you will break your bead, requiring that you start all over.

Now that you have the first half of your easy multi-strand necklace finished you will add the beads of your choice to each strand of the necklace. Once all strands have reached the desired length you will want to string a crimp bead onto all strands of the multi-strand necklaces and then add the clasp. Fold the wires over and run them back through the crimp bead. Pull everything tight and crimp the bead. Trim all wires and add drops of glue to your crimp beads for security.

You have now finished a very easy multi-strand necklace. This works well for two, three, four, or more strands. However you may need larger crimp beads to accommodate more strands. If you are wanting more then eight strands in your multi-strand necklace you will need to do other methods to make it easy to work with.

Cones.
Another great option for easy multi-strand necklaces is using a cone. Cones come in a wide range of sizes, designs, shapes (flatten cones, wide cones, narrow cones), and colors (gold, silver, gold tone, silver tone). These are used to hide the ends of a your multi-strand necklace. You can also use this method for multi-strand necklaces that have a ton of different strands (as many as twenty or thirty for a bib or a thick easy necklace). You will need nylon coated beading wire, two cones, crimp beads, beads of your choice, a clasp, wire (18 or 20 gauge), scissors, crimp pliers, and pliers (preferably round nose and flat nose, but combination pliers will work as well).

Directions.
Cut out each strand of your necklace to the size that you want the finished piece to be adding four or five extra inches to your wire. Then take a single wire and fold it so that you have about 1.5" on one side and the rest of the wire on the other. Slide a crimp bead down both wires till a small loop forms in the end. Crimp the crimp bead. Bead as you desire using the beads of your choice. When finished add a crimp bead and fold the wire over. Slowly run that back through the crimp bead. You want another small loop to form at the end but you also want all of the beads to be tight. When you have it just right, crimp this bead as well. Trim all wires and add a drop of glue to your crimp beads for added security (if you wish).

Follow this method for each strand of the easy multi-strand necklace. When all the strands are done you will want to get out wire and cut two pieces about three inches each. This wire will be used to hold all the strands together and to pull them into the cone. You will want to bend one side into a small j shape. You will want to add one loop from each strand to this j. When all of them are on it then you will want to fold that in half and make a wrapped wire loop at the top. Take the other portion of the wire and pull it through the cone. You will want to use your pliers to make a second wrapped wire loop at the top. You can choose to add one half of your clasp or to add that later using jump rings. Repeat this on the other side and your easy multi-strand necklace with cones is complete.

Options.
You can use this method to add ribbon (either with beads or by itself) to mix in with your bead strands for a fresh unique look. You can also twist or braid your strands before attaching the other end to the cone for a beautiful easy necklace. Other options include adding charms or pendents. The cone method can also be used to make necklaces with leather thongs or strips.

Other Options.
Easy multi-strand necklaces can come in a wide range of great options. Another option is to have the strand come apart and go back together for a beautiful piece with several accent beads. This is a great option for seed beads that are strung between beads of more substance. To make this you will need nylon coated beading wire, crimp beads, beads (lots of small beads with a few larger ones), a clasp, scissors, crimp pliers, and glue if you wish to add security to your easy multi-strand necklace.

This necklace goes back to the method used in the first piece here. You will want to cut your wires to the desired length and then hold them all together. You will then want to fold over one side about one and a half inches. Add your clasp and slide your crimp bead down all the wires. Push tight and crimp the crimp bead. Begin beading your strands. You can start by beading each individual strand. After going an inch to three or four inches add a combination of your larger beads to all of the strands. Then continue beading for a duration equal to that of your first one. Then add another set of your pattern and continue on like this till the necklace is beaded. Finish the necklace by adding a crimp bead to all the wires and adding a clasp. Fold the wires back down and run them through the crimp bead. Pull everything tight and crimp the crimp bead. Trim all wires and add glue to your crimp beads for security.

This can make a great looking multi-strand necklace that is easy to put together and very much worth it. Getting creative with all of these multi-strand necklaces can leave you with thousands of beautiful beaded options that are easy to assemble. Have fun with it and make a wide range of great multi-strand necklaces to have, to give, and maybe even to sell.