February 19, 2012

DIY Braided Bead Necklace

Lately I've been into DIY blogs and was inspired by THIS post to make my own beaded necklace. The result? Something that I love! And it wasn't too difficult to make... though it was somewhat fiddly and time consuming playing with so many beads.

Braided Necklace - DIY
Lips - MAC Lipstick Pink Nouveau; Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss Frenzy
Nails - OPI Charged Up Cherry

You will need...
  • Beads - the amount will depend on how long you want the necklace to be. I cut up an old beaded necklace that I no longer liked, but you can get beads from craft and large fabric stores. 
  • Chain - length is up to you. You can either buy a chain from jewellery making/craft stores, or use any old chain of yours you no longer like. 
  • Bead Thread - I used medium weight bead thread but you can use any heavy thread.
  • Pliers or tweezers - pliers are best, but since I'm new to this DIY jewellery making business I didn't want to invest in one yet in case this becomes another discarded hobby, so I used tweezers instead.  
  • Bead tips - I bought the bead tips from Lincraft for around $3 for 20. You can get them in silver or gold, but it won't matter much as they're generally hidden under the clasp anyway so buy whichever is cheaper!
  • Clasps or lobster locks -  I used the existing lobster lock from the beaded necklace I cut up, but you can get them for a couple of dollars from Lincraft or other craft stores.
  • Scissors
  • Needle - thin enough to go through the bead holes


To Make

Cut 9 pieces of bead thread to the length of your choice. I cut mine 40cm each and beaded up to 30cm.

Take 3 strands of beads and thread the ends through one bead tip, using a double knot to secure it in place. Cut off any excess threads and using your tweezers/pliers clamp the clam shells over the knot.

Repeat with all your 9 pieces of threads until you end up with 3x3 strings of beads.

Using your tweezers/pliers secure the hook end of the bead tips through the underside of your clasp/lobster lock. There is a ring under the lobster lock, so you're hooking the bead tips through those. You should end up with 3 x 3 strands hanging through one clasp. Do this for one end of the necklace only... you need the other end free so you can braid.

Braid your 3 strands and secure the other end through the other piece of the clasp/lock. While braiding you might want to tape down one end to the edge of a table so it doesn't move and makes it easier to braid.

Cut your chain to the length that you want and attach one end to the ring side of the clasp/lock. Leave the other end free, so you can hook it through the lobster lock to wear it. 

And voila! You're done! Phew...

Hope you like it! And if you give it a try let me know how it turns out.

35 comments :

  1. This is gorgeous! I love it!
    I bought a chain beaded necklace similar to this a week ago and now I can make more in different colours! :) I'm excited... It seems so simple, and totally worth the time!
    XO

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    1. Give it a try hun, it's not hard at all, just fiddly! I've been seeing a lot of these types of necklaces around, and now you can make your own :-)
      Lilit xo

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  2. wow, lovely. PS I love the lipcolour more!

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    1. Ha ha, well you are a beauty blogger after all!

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  3. Thats so beautiful! Love how it matches the lips!

    Also, I'm giving away a Clarisonic Mia on my blog! I'd love it if you could check it out on my blog. You can gain up to 10 entries! Here’s a link xx
    http://daisy--meadow.blogspot.com/2012/02/giveaway-clarisonic-mia.html

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    1. Good luck with the giveaway Courtney, I won't be entering as my skin is too sensitive to use with such products but I'm sure you'll have lots of entries!

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  4. Very pretty Lilit - you should make one to match all your lippies :) xx Melanie

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    1. Haha, that'll be a lot of necklaces! a LOT!

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  5. Beautiful colours!The lipstick is amazing!!!

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  6. This looks amazing! I can't tell it's DIY at all

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  7. Love it! You did a great job on this! Love the firt pic with the matching nail polish and lipstick!

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  8. really pretty color- nice job! i make my own jewelry too, it's time consuming but fun to do =] xx

    My Blog: Boho Vanity

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  9. I think I'm going to try this with some really bright turquoise beads. Great DIY, adore it!

    x

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    1. Let me know how you go, I think turquoise would look awesome! xo

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  10. I love DIY's!! That's such a nifty idea as opposed to tossing a broken necklace, or getting use out of one you don't wear anymore. You did an awesome job!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Natalie, I'm so into DIYs now that I'm going through my normal jewellery collection trying to see if I can re-work them into something better!

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  11. I love the photographs with the lips, nails, and necklace all different vibrant shades of pink - so lovely!

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    1. Thanks hun, after all this is primarily a beauty blog so I had to put some makeup in there! LOL.

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  12. Lilit, this looks fabulous, well done! So guess where I'm going this afternoon? To Lincraft, to buy the supplies to make one of my own! Thanks for sharing, I'll let you know how I go!
    PS. Emails on their way, I promise Xx

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    1. Thanks babe, let me know how you go if you make one! xo

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  13. Beautiful!! This looks really professional! I love it~

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  14. OMG LILIT! That's so crafty! Love the colour :D

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  15. That is soooo pretty! I would buy that in a heartbeat but then to know you can make it yourself! Great job!

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  16. Beautiful necklace! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  17. Your ideas are wonderful! Thanks again for sharing. You have inspired me to try this sometime. I bought a necklace with the exact braid recently, I would have much rather made my own!

    :)

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  18. That is a great present for my sister!

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  19. That is a great present for my sister!

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  20. That is a great present for my sister!

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  21. Hello. Love this necklace and it seems easy to do. Thank you for sharing with us.

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