How to Make (Start and Finish) a Beaded Necklace or Bracelet

Learn how to make a beaded necklace or bracelet with 3 Easy DIY jewelry-making tutorials for beginners.

This beginner’s jewelry-making guide teaches how to make a necklace or bracelet, or more specifically, it gives complete instructions (with photographs) for how to start and finish a beaded necklace or bracelet. However, this is not a tutorial for a single jewelry-making method or technique.

Instead, this beaded jewelry-making guide includes the basic tools needed and three step-by-step tutorials — for three different but easy methods —to start and finish a beaded necklace or bracelet: infinity, clamshell knot covers, and crimp beads and pliers. You might also enjoy this Mother-Daughter Necklace Set DIY tutorial.

A complete step-by-step tutorial for each jewelry-making method, with supply lists, follows this brief introduction. First, scroll down to learn about the supplies for each type of hand-beaded project and how to do each simple beaded jewelry-making technique, so you understand the basic steps and know what’s expected.

Next, choose your favorite hand-beaded DIY jewelry-making method to create your own beautiful beaded art. Affiliate links to jewelry and bead supplies, fun projects, and other beginner jewelry-making resources are included at the bottom of the beaded craft tutorial and sprinkled throughout the article for your convenience. I can’t wait to see your beaded creations! For more handmade ideas, look at this list of homemade gift ideas.

Related: How to Make a Prism Suncatcher

How to Make a Beaded Necklace

Learn how to make a beaded necklace or bracelet using three different jewelry techniques with the detailed step-by-step tutorials below. Jewelry making has been a favorite hobby of mine since I was a small child. When I was younger, I spent a few years selling handmade jewelry at fairs and farmers’ markets for a profit. The first items I learned to make were simple beaded necklaces and bracelets.

Today my daughter is learning how to make beaded necklaces, bracelets, suncatchers, and other beaded jewelry in different colors, just like I did. We even made a beaded sea glass wind chime together that’s so gorgeous, most of my neighbors have asked us where we got it. Scroll down to learn how to start and finish a beaded necklace or bracelet. You can see my daughter’s kindergarten-aged young hands at work beading a Mother’s Day gift she made me in the image below.

Related: How to Make Beaded Snowflake Ornaments

3 Easy Ways to Start and Finish a Beaded Necklace or Bracelet

These DIY jewelry-making tutorials and ideas are perfect for beginners of all ages. Below are three easy techniques you can use to start and finish beaded jewelry:

1. Infinity
2. Clamshell knot covers
3. Crimp beads and pliers

How you start and finish each beaded necklace or bracelet depends on the materials you use, the supplies available, and your preferences. Detailed DIY jewelry-making tutorials for each jewelry-making technique follow.

I recommend reading through each method before deciding which jewelry-making technique you would like to try. Next, gather the supplies you need, plan your beaded pattern, and make your own wearable beaded art!

I have created an Amazon Store with the jewelry-making supplies recommended throughout this tutorial for your convenience. It also includes supplies for several other beaded crafts you can make.

Related: Beaded Felt Flower Lei Necklace Tutorial

1. How to Start and Finish an Infinity Necklace or Bracelet:

An infinity necklace or bracelet is the easiest way to make a necklace, as it can be formed into a never-ending loop without a clasp. Just string the beads and tie the ends together once it reaches the desired length.

All you need to do is tie a strong knot, and you are good to go. These acorn marble necklaces that my daughter and I made offer an example of a simple infinity necklace you can make with a homemade acorn marble charm. Aren’t they gorgeous!?

Infinity Jewelry Making Materials for Necklaces and Bracelets

Gather your favorite beads and bead-stringing materials from the recommendations below to make infinity necklaces and stretch bracelets without a clasp. If you are making an infinity bracelet, you must use stretch floss or an elastic cord. Otherwise, you will not be able to remove the beaded bracelet craft once it is tied around someone’s wrist.

DIY bracelets made with elastic cord are easy to put on and take off because they easily stretch to fit over the hand and sit easily on the wrist. You cannot use monofilament line or beading thread to make bracelets without adding a clasp. However, elastic bracelets made with stretch magic cord don’t need a clasp. You can cover the knot with a crimp cover for a more polished finish if desired.

Jewelry-Making Supplies for Infinity Jewelry:

• Beads of your choice
• Choose one of the following options for the beading string:
  • Stretch bead cord
  • Beading thread and a needle
  • Monofilament bead cord
• Crimp covers
• Beading scissors
• Beadboard (optional)

Beaded Infinity Necklace or Bracelet Tutorial

You can use a length of lightweight monofilament line (fishing line), a beading needle and thread, a stretchy cord, or a piece of elastic to make an infinity necklace. Making infinity necklaces and DIY bracelet crafts is a simple project for kids or adults.

To make an infinity necklace with monofilament or fishing line, it needs to be strung long enough to fit over your head once it is tied together. When making bracelets or necklaces that you can not slip over your head or hand, you must use a stretch cord or elastic to make it, or you will need to cut your beautiful beaded craft apart in order to remove it.

Start by tying a double or triple knot at one end of the line, or by tying a knot around a small seed bead. Or, put a dab of glue on a simple square knot and use a pair of jewelry pliers to crimp a cover on it to increase the strength and resiliency of homemade stretchy bracelets and necklaces.

Next, add a charm or string enough beads onto the line, thread, cord, or string to make a necklace or bracelet. Use a beadboard to create a beaded pattern, or string them on randomly. To finish, tie the loose or free ends of the necklace or bracelet together. Step-by-step instructions for this jewelry-making method follow:

How to make an infinity necklace or bracelet:

1. Use a beadboard (optional) to create a beaded pattern before starting if desired.
2. Cut a piece of fishing string or elastic stretch cord that is at least 6 inches longer than the necklace or bracelet you intend to make.
3. Tie a double or triple knot at one end of the cord, fishing line, beading thread, or stretch floss. Alternatively, you can tie the knot around a seed bead, or add a dab of glue to the knot and crimp a bead cover over it with pliers to increase strength and resilience (optional).
4. String a charm and/or beads onto the fishing string, beading thread, or stretch cord.
5. Beads can be strung randomly, or according to a pre-planned pattern until the bracelet or necklace reaches the desired length. (Please remember that infinity bracelet crafts must be made with an elastic stretch cord, or you will need to use one of the jewelry-making techniques described in the following sections.)
6. Tie the free ends of the elastic cord, monofilament line, beading thread, or stretch floss together to finish your infinity bracelet craft or necklace.
7. (Optional) Put a dab of jewelry glue on the knot, then use a pair of jewelry pliers to crimp a cover on it for a more polished finish and to increase the strength and resilience of homemade stretchy bracelets and necklaces.
8. Cut off any remaining excess cord.

Best Knot for Infinity Jewelry Made with Stretchy String:

The most secure knot for stretchy elastic string is the Surgeon’s Knot. This knot is highly effective because the extra loops prevent the slippery elastic from coming undone. The graphic image below shows how to tie a surgeon’s knot for making bracelets and necklaces.

Sometimes, you can hide the knot for an infinity necklace or bracelet in a large wooden bead hole instead of using a crimp cover. The photos below show how I hid the knot inside one of the strung beads on a wooden bead bracelet my daughter made, using a dab of glue. Please visit the step-by-step tutorial to see how to make bracelets with colorful beads.

2. How to Start and Finish a Necklace or Bracelet with Clamshell Knot Covers:

Using knot covers is a simple beginner jewelry-making technique for kids and adults alike. The supplies and step-by-step instructions for this method follow:

Clamshell Knot Cover Jewelry-Making Materials:

• Mixed metal clamshell knot covers OR sterling silver knot covers, OR 14k gold clamshell knot covers
• Monofilament beading line, or beading thread with needle
• Barrel clasps OR lobster clasps and jump rings OR toggle clasp
• Bent nose jewelry pliers
• Wire nippers or scissors
• Toothpick
• Jewelry glue (optional)
• Beadboard (optional)

Clamshell Knot Cover Tutorials

Follow the step-by-step directions to start and finish a clamshell necklace or bracelet.

How to Start a Clamshell Necklace or Bracelet

1. Gather clamshell knot cover materials. The photo tutorial below shows a single clamshell knot end and a barrel clasp. You will need two clamshell knot covers per necklace or bracelet.
2. Cut the beading line at least 6 inches longer than the necklace length you will be making. Place a clamshell knot cover onto the line, as shown in #2 in the step-by-step photo tutorial below.
3. Tie a knot, then place it inside the clamshell knot cover. The knot must be small enough to fit inside the clamshell once it is closed, and it also must be large enough to stay within it. In other words, tie a big knot to keep it from pulling out the back of the clamshell while making sure that it is small enough to fit inside.
4. Trim off the excess beading line with a pair of beading scissors.
5. Place a drop of jewelry glue on the knot in the clamshell knot end. (optional)
6. Use bent needle nose pliers to close the clamshell knot cover around the knot.
7. Place a clasp onto an open loop of the clamshell knot end.
8. Use bent needle nose pliers to close the open loop of the clamshell knot cover around the clasp to secure it.

More Clam Shell Knot Cover with Crimp Bead Options

Another option is to start and finish a beaded bracelet or necklace with clamshell knot covers by tying the monofilament cord or beading thread around a small seed bead before closing the clamshell knot cover around it. Once again, using a drop of jewelry glue is optional to ensure the knot and seed bead are secure.

And finally, start and finish a beaded bracelet or necklace by placing a crimp bead on the extra-strength monofilament or fishing line and closing the clamshell knot cover over the crimp bead to secure it. This technique also requires crimping pliers to adhere the crimp beads to the fishing line.

How to Finish a Clamshell Knot Cover Necklace or Bracelet

1. Place the clamshell knot cover onto one end of the monofilament beading line or fishing string, as shown in the photo below.
2. Tie a simple square knot in the remaining monofilament beading line. Place a toothpick inside the loop of the knot inside the clamshell knot cover.
3. Slowly increase the tension as you tie the second part of the knot, then pull it so it sits inside the clamshell knot cover. Secure the clamshell (with the knot) as close as possible to the beads on the necklace. In other words, use gentle tension and the toothpick to remove the gap between the clamshell cover and the beads on the necklace.
4. Trim off the excess monofilament beading line or fishing string.
5. Place a drop of glue on the knot inside the clamshell cover. (optional)
6. Use bent needle-nose pliers to close the clamshell around the knot.
7. Place a clasp onto the open loop of the clamshell knot cover.
8. Use bent needle-nose pliers to close the clamshell loop, securing the knot inside the clamshell knot cover.

Related: How to Make a Beaded Windchime

3. How to Start and Finish a Necklace or Bracelet with Crimp Beads and Pliers

Crimp Bead Necklace Materials

• Flexible beading wire OR monofilament beading cord
• Crimp pliers
• Wire nippers OR scissors
• Crimp beads  OR crimp tubes OR sterling silver crimp tubes
• Barrel clasps OR lobster clasps and jump rings OR toggle Clasps, OR sterling silver lobster clasps, OR sterling silver toggle clasps, etc.
• Beadboard (optional)

Crimp Bead Tutorials

Follow the step-by-step directions to start and finish a beaded necklace or bracelet with crimping pliers and crimp beads.

How to Start a Necklace or Bracelet Using Crimp Beads

1. Gather the jewelry-making materials listed above. The photo shows the lobster clasp and jump ring option. However, barrel clasps, toggle clasps, a sterling silver dolphin clasp with a sterling silver closed jump ring, or S-hook clasps with closed jump rings can be substituted. Switch out the proper hardware to use other types of clasps and toggles, and you will be good to go.
2. Cut a section of beading line at least 6 inches longer than the necklace or bracelet you will be making. Place a crimp bead or tube, then a clasp, onto one end of the line.
3. Tuck the loose end of the fishing line into and through the crimp bead or tube to create a loop.
4. Decrease the loop size by pushing the crimp bead toward the clasp.
5. Use crimp pliers to close the crimp bead and secure it to the beading line. See step-by-step photo tutorial below.

How to Finish a Necklace or Bracelet Using Crimp Beads:

1. Place a crimp bead or tube on the end of the necklace and add a jump ring.
2. Insert the loose end of the necklace into the crimp bead.
3. Reduce the loop size by moving the crimp bead as close as possible to the necklace beads.
4. Use crimp pliers to close the crimp bead, securing it to the beading line or necklace.
5. Trim away excess beading line with scissors.

The directions above share tutorials that will help you learn how to start and finish a beaded necklace or bracelet.

The necklace on the left is made using clamshell knot covers, as shown in the photo below, while the necklace on the right is made with crimp beads and pliers; specialty clasps can be substituted for the basic clasp types pictured throughout this article.

There are millions of bead types you can use to create beaded jewelry. A few examples are below.

How to Make a Beaded Necklace: Bead Options for Stringing Necklaces and Bracelets

There are millions of types of wooden, glass, crystal, and plastic beads you can use to string necklaces and bracelets. I have included a few of my favorite beading options below. You might also enjoy learning how to use letter beads to make a name necklace (personalized with any inspiring word or phrase you like), including mom, mum, nana, or grandma!

Young children should string large-hole beads that are at least 8mm. Small hands still developing fine motor control have trouble with smaller beads, so larger beads, such as 10mm pony beads, are best for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.

• 2mm seed beads
• 4mm multi-colored seed beads
• 8mm round mixed gemstone beads
• 4mm bicone crystal faceted beads
• 6mm round faceted crystal glass beads
• 8mm glass faceted beads
• 8mm colorful acrylic beads in ink patterns
• Pony Beads and letter beads for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners (perfect for small hands learning to string beads)
• Charm bead set for jewelry making
• Jewelry-making beads starter kit
• Colored wooden beads
• You might also enjoy learning how to color unfinished wooden beads.

Homemade Beading Projects to Try Now

Below are links to the beading projects we have made. We will add to this list as we make more jewelry tutorials. I didn’t want to describe how to start and finish a necklace or bracelet in each post, so I figured I’d start with this one — lol — enjoy!

Fun DIY Beaded Necklace Ideas:

• DIY Personalized Name or Word Necklace
• Mom Necklace Gift Idea
• Mother-Daughter Necklace or Bracelet Set
• Alphabet Necklace
• Beaded Felt Flower Lei Necklace

Easy Beaded Bracelet Tutorial:

• Wooden Bead Bracelets
• Painted Wooden Spool Bracelet

DIY Necklaces with Homemade Charms:

• Acorn Marble Necklace
• DIY Picture Necklace Photo Jewelry
• Fingerprint Art Necklace
• Thumbprint Heart Necklace
• Fingerprint Flower Necklace
• Painted Wooden Spool Necklace

Other Beading Projects to Try:

• DIY Sea Glass Wind Chime
• Sea Glass Suncatchers
• Rainbow Pony Bead Prism Suncatcher
• Heart Prism Pony Bead Suncatcher
• Snowflake Ornaments

Beginning Jewelry Making Tutorials for Kids and Adults

I hope you enjoyed these DIY jewelry-making tutorials and simple ideas for beginners. Use this easy step-by-step jewelry-making tutorial to learn how to start and finish a beaded necklace or bracelet.

Have any questions or other tutorials you’d like me to write? Leave a comment below or use the contact button at the top of the page.

Learn more about us HERE–> Rhythms of Play

If you like this Beginner DIY Jewelry Making Tutorial, You May Also Enjoy:

• Homemade Gifts Kids Can Make
• How to Sew a Pocket Pet Mouse
• Fingerprint Art Magnets
• How to Color Wooden Beads