Hello, readers! This Glam Halloween Necklace was a guest post on the blog The Idea Room a few weeks ago, and today it is featuring here for Spooky Saturdays. We all know how I love to combine two of my favorite things: bling and Halloween!
I have made this necklace in many colors over the years, from solid colors or clear beads (shown below) for everyday use, to red and green or orange and black for holiday use. It can be worn long and loose or, my personal favorite, twisted. I wear it with everything from jeans and a cardi to my fancy, black v-neck dress. It has garnered me a whole lot of compliments through the years. I have also made it in other colors and varieties, as you can see in the picture below.
Today I am feeling generous, so I am going to reveal my secrets and teach you how to make it. Then again, if you don’t want to buy the supplies and tools to make it, or you just don’t have the time, you can also buy one from my Etsy shop.
Here are the supplies that you will need in order to complete this project. You can buy these tools and supplies at any large craft store, but the acrylic beads come from Hobby Lobby, so you may as well go there.
* basic jewelry making tools – crimp pliers and/or flat nosed pliers and a wire cutting tool
* beading cable – I use SoftFlex brand, medium width, but any brand will do just fine.
* FOUR strands of In Bloom large acrylic beads from Hobby Lobby
* A very large clasp. Once again, I get the one shown from Hobby Lobby. It is very cheap.
* Eight silver “filler” beads. (More on that later.)
* Four crimp tubes or beads
Alright, let’s get started!
First you thread the beads onto your cable.** Put two silver beads on each end of each strand. I find that when I don’t do that there is too much bulk right next to the clasp and it is difficult to close the clasp. This is your “wiggle room.” Be sure to leave some extra length of cable on each end. That will make the next steps much easier.
**Nit picky tip: I like the large and small beads to alternate, but the strands of beads come with large beads on both ends, so if you just thread them then you will have two large ones next to one another in the middle. I always remove one of those large beads. Obviously, that is a personal preference choice.
Time to crimp. This is the only tricky part. And it’s not even tricky. You are almost done……can you believe it?!
Thread a crimp tube or bead onto each end. (Work with one end at a time.) Double back the cable and thread it through the crimp and a bead or two. I feel like that makes it a bit more secure than snipping it right next to the crimp. Pull the crimp close to the clasp but not too tight because you need a tiny bit of “wiggle room.”
At this point you have two choices. Either squeeze the heck out of the crimp with your flat nosed pliers to make the crimp flat and tight, or use the actual crimping pliers. I use the real crimping pliers. The first thing you do is squeeze your crimp with the divot that goes in a bit, as shown in the picture above. Then you close that with the divot that is smoother. That was a lame explanation, but if you have the pliers you will see what I mean. If you still can’t understand me then go the flat-nosed route.
Ummmm……you are done. Yep, that’s right. DONE! Now go be festive like my gorgeous redhead friend, you jewelry-making maniac!
Happy Halloween!!!!
If you liked this jewelry making tutorial then you may also enjoy the following tutorials:
Lovely Ombre Earrings Tutorial
Baby Christening Bracelet Tutorial
Fun & Funky Christmas Necklace
(The same process as this necklace!)
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Amber says
October 8, 2016 at 8:28 amYour hair looks amazing in this picture!!!
Sarah Westover McKenna says
October 8, 2016 at 9:32 pmThanks!!! It’s quite time consuming, but it IS my favorite way these days. 🙂