DIY Square Bead and Chain Necklace

I'm pretty excited about this week.  First of all, I'm starting it off with this cute new necklace I made and have to share with you all, and second because I'm taking a trip to Cousin Corporation on Wednesday! That's right, Cousin is flying all of us ambassador down to their headquarters in sunny Florida for three quick days. I'm so excited to get to warmer weather, tour their facilities and have a trip full of talk about beads and jewelry making!!

I love the crafting community but jewelry making has always been my true passion so I'm super excited to have a few days to meet other jewelry makers and learn lots about Cousin! I will be sharing updates on instagram as I'm there but will be sure to post about it when I get back :)

So lets get back to the jewelry making, shall we? This cute new necklace uses chain from Cousin and some stone beads that create a bold look!

Supplies:
To make your own you will need square gemstone beads, square 8mm round stone beads, chain, head pins, eye pins, needle nose pliers, round nose pliers and wire cutters. You will NOT need the wire or third set of beads pictured, but will also need jump rings and a clasp. 
 I was going to have a third layer of this necklace using the wire and smaller stick beads but it just did not work out. If only things would work as good as they do in my head in reality. I still love the necklace with only two different beads though :)

Steps:
 Cut your chain into 4 equal lengths. String a square bead onto an eye pin and use needle nose pliers to attach the eye pin onto the center of one chain strand.

Use needle nose pliers to bend the eye pin 90 degrees directly above the bead. Trim off all but a small tail using wire cutters and then round the tail into a circle using round nose pliers.

Attach the new loop onto the center of another piece of chain and use needle nose pliers to squeeze shut.

Repeat these steps with more square beads

Next, grab a round stone bead and string it onto a head pin.  Use the same process listed above to create a loop with the other end of the wire like so:

Attach this loop onto the middle of one of the chain strands. 

Use needle nose pliers to squeeze shut.

Repeat until you have filled the chain to match the square beads

To turn this beaded bib into a complete necklace give it a slight rounded bend like so:

And you will see that to have the necklace lay straight while worn you will need to first use a jump ring to attach the lower chain to the upper chain about three links from the end on each side, and then attach the end of the upper chain onto another length of chain to create the necklace. This will give the lower chain level more slack and the upper chain level less slack so the necklace will lay properly.

Repeat on the other side as well

Lastly, use a jump ring and needle nose pliers to attach a clasp to the ends of the chain


After that, you're done!

I just love how this necklace turned out.  The square gem beads are just so lovely - they frame out the necklace perfectly and the purple round beads add a fun touch.

I think this big bib style necklace with large beads is also sooo in right now.

I certainly have enjoyed wearing it! So great necklace eye candy.

Maybe I'll bring this new puppy along on my Cousin trip - I'm supposed to wear some of my favorite handmade jewelry designs throughout the trip.  Sounds easy since I make tons of jewelry but it's hard to plan a cute outfit for a specific occasion and also plan it around one of my own jewelry pieces!  Maybe I'm just thinking too hard about it.  I hate packing for trips!! Oh well.  I'll have to plan SOMETHING so I don't show up naked :)

7 comments

  1. You always have such great tutorials.

    Have fun on the trip! Exciting : )

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  2. I dare you to show up naked.
    Also, I love this necklace!

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  3. I love that necklace. I've never seen those square beads before. I may have to make one for my sister now :)

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  4. Rebecca, I love this! I'm a sucker for pretty much anything fuchsia/hot pink-ish and I love this design. I'm so jealous of your upcoming trip--have an awesome bead-filled vacation!!

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  5. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful project on The Inspiration Board at homework. I featured you today! Have a wonderful weekend.
    carolyn ~ homework

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  6. I love this necklace! I like how you connected both rows so that they stay together instead of moving around. Very nice! I like your choice of colors. Thanks again for another great project.

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