Last weekend, I started a new necklace making project using a huge crystal stone and an antique Chinese carving I bought from the FamilyonBikes Etsy shop. Designing the focal point of the necklace was structurally challenging, but I had a clear vision in my mind of how I wanted it to look. Making the necklace straps, however, was a whole other problem.
At first, I thought about making a single strap on either side using herringbone stitch. But I couldn't figure out how to attach them securely. Then I thought about making one long herringbone rope, but again, the weight of the pendant pulled on it too much for me to feel comfortable wearing it. Finally, I went through my sketchbooks from last year and found a drawing I did of a three-strand beaded rope necklace that I wanted to create. The three herringbone ropes will be the perfect combination of structure and shape to both support and complement the focal point.
But not every necklace making project that I design works out so easily -- or so quickly. It's easy for me to come up with ideas for the focal points and pendants, but when it comes to adding the straps, I struggle. I feel like I'm really just not that good at designing flat beadwork for necklace straps, but I don't want to just use jewelry stringing every time I need a strap for a necklace making project. If you're like me and you get stuck when it comes to making the necklace straps of your necklace designs, here are a few ideas to get you thinking a little more creatively:
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Ribbon, satin, or leather cord. Sometimes, a simple necklace
strap is all that you need to complement a stunning focal piece. When I
created this piece of bead embroidery using a carved bone Ganesha
cabochon, I agonized over what kind of strap I should use to complete
it. Instead of continuing with an intricately beaded strap, I added a
couple of seed bead loops to the pendant and used a simple wire-wrapped
piece of leather. Since I was anxious to be able to wear this one right
away, it was a bonus that it only took me about an hour to create the
necklace!
I also like to use a length of satin cord, doubled on
each end to form a loop, and then held in place with a peyote-stitched
slide. The colors of the satin cord complement or contrast with the
colors of your beaded pendant or focal piece. |
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Chain. When I needed a way to quickly create bead embroidered
pendants and necklaces for my summer farmer's markets and craft shows, I
found that adding a length of chain to a finished beaded pendant was a
fast and professional-looking way to add a strap to any necklace making
project. Sometimes I'll mix it with a strand of strung beads or a piece
of silk ribbon for a double-strand necklace strap with a little bit of
mixed media jewelry appeal.
Of course, now that I'm learning to
love wire jewelry making, I can also make customized bead and wire
chains for my necklaces. These work great with beaded beads or larger
tubes of bead-weaving that you can embellish with fringe.
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Flexible plastic tubing. My local hardware store has loads of
great jewelry making goodies, but the clear plastic tubing is one of my
favorites by far. It really doesn't take long to stitch some simple
right-angle weave around a piece of flexible plastic tubing. Leave it
plain, or add embellishments like crystals, pearls, or swags of seed
beads. Use it plain or with a lovely beaded pendant hanging from the
center!
You can also use herringbone stitch or peyote stitch
around the outside of your flexible plastic tubing to create a sturdy
necklace strap that has a hefty form for supporting a larger pendant. |
Of course, it always helps to keep a sketchbook handy full of ideas for finishing your necklace making projects. I also include pictures that I cut out from fashion magazines or print out from websites that have gorgeous beaded necklaces that I want to translate into bead-weaving projects.
Are you bored with the same old ideas for neck straps? Take a look at
The Art of Forgotten Things. You'll find dozens of ideas for using things like ribbon, chain, bead-weaving, and bead embroidery to create fantastic, artistic neck straps for all of your necklace making projects. Dabble in a little bit of mixed media jewelry making with techniques for using found objects, ribbons and fibers. You'll be inspired to use your favorite bead-weaving stitches with all sorts of new materials to create unforgettable beaded necklaces.
Get your copy of The Art of Forgotten Things and infuse your necklace making projects with delightful new ideas. Or, if you ready to get started now, you can also instantly download The Art of Forgotten Things as an eBook and be reading and beading in just minutes!
What's the hardest part of necklace making for you? Is it designing the focal point or the pendants? The finishing touches like adding a clasp? Or are you like me, and you freeze up when it's time to add a strap to your latest beaded necklace design? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your necklace making challenges with us!
Bead Happy,
Jennifer
Filed under: Bead Embroidery, Peyote stitch, Pearls, Crystals, Beaded Beads, Bead Making, Stringing, Wire Jewelry, Herringbone Stitch, How To Bead, Seed Bead Patterns, Bead-weaving, Mixed Media Jewelry, Necklace Making, Bead Crafts, Beaded Jewelry Design, Beads, Jewelry Making, Beading Daily