This Tuesday I taught a technique driven class on how to construct a multi strand bracelet or necklace.
The most commonly asked question is how to go about composing your work & how to finish it off.
TIPS for multi stand necklaces:
Using multiple strands all around the neck adds weight, bulk & expense. Assess if you can design your piece using any of these combinations:
Here’s how you can achieve that look 4 different ways using flex wire:
Use cones (bead caps) like the “Chanel” pearl & jet design.
For multi strands: String beads on 3 separate strands of flex wire & secure each strand individually with a crimp on the same closed oval ring. Nb: Make strands 2.5cm longer than the first.
For the single back strand: Secure a single strand of flex wire to the oval ring then thread the wire through the cup & small hole of the bead cap. On the protruding flex wire thread your beads. Secure the wire to the clasp with a crimp. Rpt to the other side.
Use 1 strand of wire (doubled) then string:
- the back beads through both wire strands,
- the front middle beads through separate wire strands,
- the back beads on the other side through both strands of wire.
Use filigree stampings as a decorative spacer bar end like the “Egyptian” inspired project & add spacer bars at intervals.
Nb: We used the middle & outer holes only of 5 row spacer bars.
Use multi bar ends like the 5 strand “Massai” collar necklace & spacer bars at intervals.
End Bars – use for multi stranded, bracelets, chokers & chandelier earrings. Attach a clasp (or ear part) to the single looped end. You can also have a single strand of beads strung at the single end then attach your clasp after the last bead like our featured project “Massai”.
Spacer Bars – keep multi strands, straight, uniform, untangled & flat. Insert them at regular intervals when beading. See “Massai” &” Egyptian” necklaces.
TIPS:
Using multiple strands all around the neck adds weight, bulk & expense. Assess if you can design your piece using any of the above combinations. A single strand at the back which becomes a multi strand at the front.
When using end bars & stampings if you are right handed make sure you secure the clasp on the right side of the necklace & not left otherwise the stamping/end bar will be upside down. Reverse if left handed.
For the best tension secure the crimp with the necklace draped the way you would wear it & not horizontally.
Use a bead board to lay out, plan & change your design before stringing it up.
Chris
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beautiful beads and bespoke jewellery
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