How to Make an Endless Necklace
Beaded Necklace Instructions

Learn how to make an endless necklace with step by step jewelry making instructions. String beads - gemstones, pearls or crystals - into a long necklace!

Beginner Jewelry Making Instructions

Here, I used four strands of freshwater mauve colored pearls and Swarovski® crystal beads to create a pearl endless necklace.

Of course, you can substitute any kind of beads to create your own endless necklace.

The jewelry making technique used is bead stringing. It is one of the most basic beading techniques used to make handcrafted beaded jewelry.

How to Create an Endless Necklace

Beading Tutorial Category: Bead Stringing Tutorials

Skill Level: Beginning Beading

Finished Length of Necklace: 70" (177.8 cm)

Prerequisite Jewelry Beading Technique:

Step by step instructions on how to flatten and then fold crimp beads.

If you're stringing beads for the first time, practice the step by step prerequisite jewelry beading techniques first.

Jewelry Making Supplies

• four strands of freshwater pearls, 15 or 16" (38.1 or 40.6 cm) in length (I used 6-7mm pearls)
• 25 6mm size crystal beads (I used three shades that coordinate with the pearls)
• 76" (193 cm) .014 diameter flexible beading wire
• two crimp tube beads
• two crimp covers (Optional)
• two bead stoppers (Optional)

Here is information on flexible beading wire used to string beads.

Here is information on bead stoppers used in bead jewelry projects.

Jewelry Making Tools

• Chain nose pliers
• Crimping pliers
• Wire cutters

Here is an explanation and pictures of jewelry pliers used in bead jewelry projects.

Time Saving Beading Tip

When you need to string a lot of beads, pull off 2 to 3 beads at a time from the strand. Hold the beads between your index finger and thumb. Thread the beading wire through the hole of each bead. Slide all the beads down the beading wire.

Beginner Jewelry Making Instructions
How to Make an Endless Necklace

String Beads in a Random Pattern

1. Working directly from the spool of beading wire (do not cut the beading wire yet), string the beads onto the beading wire.

I strung a random pattern of pearls and crystals with six crystal beads per strand of pearls.

Remove Slack for Beading Wire

2. Once you have strung all the beads, place a bead stopper on the end of the beading wire. If you do not have a bead stopper, just tie a loose knot at the end of the beading wire.

Straighten the strand and bring all beads together against the bead stopper or knot. This removes the slack from the beading wire and space from between the beads.

Bead Stopper on End of Beading Wire

How to Make an Endless Necklace
Make an End to a Claspless or Endless Necklace

3. String a crystal bead and a crimp bead onto the end of the beading wire.

When crimping beading wire I like to string back through a few beads on the end of a strand. Size .014 beading wire may not go through the hole of 6-7mm pearls twice. So, end your necklace strand with a bead large enough for the beading wire to go through it twice. The bead could be a crystal bead or a 4mm or 5mm round metal spacer bead.

If you do not do this, when you cut the excess wire you'll cut it just on the other side of the crimp beads. With a long necklace like this one too much stress may be placed on the end of the necklace and the wire might slip from the crimp beads when you wear it.

Directions on How to Make an Endless Necklace Continued

4. Thread one end of beading wire through the crimp bead and last bead of the other strand of beading wire.

5. Thread the second end of beading wire through the crimp bead and last bead of the first strand of beading wire.

Using your thumb and index fingers of both hands, pull the ends of beading wire taunt in opposite directions.

6. Place bead stoppers on each end of the beading wire. These will hold your strand of beads taunt while you crimp the crimp beads.

Directions on How to Make an Endless Necklace Continued

7. Using chain nose pliers, flatten each crimp bead.

8. Now, using the crimping pliers, crimp each crimp bead.

First, place the crimp bead into the notch closest to the pliers' handle. Squeeze the pliers shut.

Next, place the crimp tube into the notch closest to the pliers' tip. Squeeze the pliers shut. (Not pictured) You will end up with a folded crimp bead as shown below.

11. Add a crimp cover over the folded crimp.

Using the wire cutters, trim the excess flexible beading wire.

You're done! You've made a necklace without a clasp. Enjoy wearing your claspless or endless necklace.

Ways to Wear Your Claspless Necklace

Of course you can wear the claspless necklace as a single or double strand. But below are two more ways to wear it.

Wear a Claspless Necklace as a Lariat Necklace

An Endless Necklace Doubled as a Choker and a Long Necklace

Play with your necklace to discover even more ways to wear it. Have fun making beaded jewelry!

I hope you found this tutorial on How to Make an Endless Necklace easy to follow and this bead jewelry making project easy to make and beautiful!

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