Easy DIY Multi-Strand Strung Necklace

Learning how to make a basic strung necklace is one of the easiest concepts of jewelry making. All you really need is beading wire, a clasp, crimp beads, and regular beads! After you have the basic technique down you can alter the styles and shapes of your beads to make dozens of different kinds of necklaces.

To jazz things up even more, adding multiple strands to the same necklace gives you a designer looking necklace that still just uses one of the most basic jewelry designing techniques! 

Even though I love to experiment and try new techniques and ways to make jewelry, at the end of the day there is nothing wrong with a basic strung necklace.  This cute purple multi-strand necklace came together really quick and easy but now is the perfect accessory to wear with a plain purple sweater dress for a cute and girly outfit.

 Let me show you just how easy it is to make your own DIY multi-strand necklace!

Supplies:

I got all the supplies for this necklace from Cousin Corporation. You will need beading wire, crimp beads, a toggle clasp, split rings, split ring pliers, needle nose pliers, and wire cutters as well as an assortment of beads.  I used dark purple oval beads, dark purple round beads, silver spacers, light purple faceted tubes, and light purple faceted round beads.

Steps:

Start by cutting a long piece of beading wire using needle nose pliers 

DIY Metal Charm & Chain Necklace

I've had some time off lately for Christmas break and I am loving the fact that it has given me some more time to make jewelry and share my creations with you like this DIY Metal Charm and Chain Necklace!

Of course Christmas break has been filled with lots of other Christmasy things as well :)  My boyfriend and I split time between both of our families on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It was great to see both sides of the family to eat lots of good food and squeeze in lots of BABY time too! I have three nieces now and the youngest one Felicity is 7 months old now.  I bought her a dumbbell rattle (affiliate link) for Christmas - how freaking cute does she look with it??? She's making gainz already ;) We spent Christmas morning with my boyfriend's family, Christmas lunch/afternoon with my family, which then left us surprisingly free on Christmas night! It was actually kind of nice to have some time just the two of us: this was only our second Christmas together so we popped some bubbly, opened our own presents, and then cuddled on the couch. Perfect Christmas night for me!

After all the festivities were over though I was back to my beading table.  Before I can show you what I made over this break, I have to play catch up and show you one of my last creations! I recently grabbed this basic long sleeve t-shirt dress for less than $20.00 from Forever 21 and needed a necklace to wear with it to fancy it up a bit.

So out came the beading supplies and the design wheels started churning and here is what I came up with!

An easy to make necklace that is flashy and sparkly enough to jazz up the dress but simple enough to still keep the outfit still semi-casual.  Here is how you can make your own version!

Supplies:

To make this necklace you will need 6mm rondelle beads, 3mm acrylic beads (I used both bicone and rounds), 6mm bicone crystals (not pictured), copper charm beads, copper chain, head pins, eye pins, jump rings, a lobster claw clasp, wire cutters, needle nose pliers and round nose pliers.

Steps:

To make the first strand of the necklace start by stringing one rondelle bead onto an eye pin. Use needle nose pliers to bend the pin back 90 degrees directly above the bead.  Use wire cutters to trim off all but about a half inch tail from the pin. Grab the end of the tail using round nose pliers and then bend it back around the pliers to form a loop.

DIY Multi-Color Metal Necklace

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I've been all about the instant gratification jewelry projects lately.

Sometimes I love planning out a super in-depth project that has lots of different components and is very intricate and I know will take a lot of time in front of the TV to make (this DIY anthropologie knock-off necklace,  statement necklace, and DIY cluster web necklace were all super time consuming!) I feel like I appreciate some of those pieces so much because I knew how much time I put into making them.

Lately though I just feel like life has been too busy to get wrapped up in another complicated project so I'm all about quick and easy projects that still turn out a beautiful piece of jewelry.  Between working full time, moving recently and having a longer commute, working out every day and still trying to maintain a social life, jewelry making often gets put on the back burner.  It gives me such joy whenever I finally get to have a little down time to create something though, so I've been trying to find enough time to sneak in some short but efficient crafting sessions.

The secret to a quick and easy jewelry project? Use jewelry components that are already full of design themselves so you don't have to do quite so much design work! I LOVED these multi-color metal link components from  Cousin DIY the first time I saw them and knew they would be perfect for a project.  I played around with a few different design ideas until I realized that the components had so much design in them already, I really just needed to keep the rest of the project simple! Best thing about simple? It's often quick and easy too :)  In just one quick crafting session I was able to whip up this funky necklace.

It only requires very basic jewelry making skills as well - so don't be afraid to give it a try! Here's how you can make your own version.

Supplies

You will need needle nose pliers, round nose pliers, wire cutters, 6mm crystals,  Gold Multi-Color Teardrop Connectors, gold eye pins, 4mm gold jump rings, and a lobster claw clasp.

Steps

DIY Boho Chain Necklace Set

Who is ready to jump into spring with a new DIY project full of boho beachy vibes?!? This new necklace tutorial has me feeling light, springy and STYLING!

This necklace set is actually a collaboration for a fun project with Cousin Corporation! I've been a brand ambassador for them for a few years and just love their jewelry supplies.  Last year Dawn organized a blog hop for all of us ambassadors to create a project using the same set of materials and we had so much fun doing it last year we thought it was time to bring it back again!

I used the given materials and just a few extras from my own stash to create two long pendant chain necklaces that can be worn separate or together for a true statement piece.  Here are the beads from Cousin DIY everyone was sent to use:

And here is how I used the supplies to make my own project!

I started by taking a pre-made beaded necklace

Easy Gift Packaging Idea using Crystal Charms

Need a cute and quick packaging idea for a simple gift? I have a super simple wrapping idea for you today using charms made with Swarovski® crystals!

I blogged about these charms made with Swarovski® crystals that are available at Michaels stores last week with my DIY Wine Glass Charms but I wanted to share one more idea of how these charms make great little present toppers!

DIY Wine Glass Charms with Swarovski® Crystals

Today's project that I have to share with you all is a real winner because it involves two of my most favorite things in the whole world: beading and WINE!

Ok so technically this isn't really a jewelry making project, but more of just a general craft but it does involve CRYSTALS and it most definitely involves wine. Yup, we are making wine glass charms- whoop, whoop!

I whipped up these cute little wine glass charms after receiving a few of the new charms made with Swarovski® crystals from Cousin Corporation that are now available in Michaels stores!

I was immediately drawn to the pink and clear crystal charm sets because, well, OBVIOUSLY I love pink and sparkles.  I decided to connect the two sets to make a dainty little pair of wine glass charms.  This is pretty much the easiest DIY ever - you can make your own version in only five minutes with very little materials!

Cousin Creative Circle Retreat 2015

I love being a brand ambassador for Cousin Corporation, they manufacture so many different kinds of beads and findings and supply them to so many different stores, I have tons of fun playing with their new products and helping promote their lines!  One of the best parts of the gig though is that each year they fly us down to their headquarters in Florida for a retreat with the other members of the Cousin Creative Circle team! This has been my second year as a part of the program so I was so excited to go back to Florida for the retreat. I blogged about my trip last February in three parts which can be found here, here and here. This time around I'm doing one big ole recap :)

It's a quick trip, I flew out last Wednesday morning a little after 8AM and landed in Florida a little after 11. I actually really enjoying flying by myself, it's fun to wander around the airport, get some coffee, do some people watching and get physched up for your coming trip :)  I made it to Florida fine and met up with some of the other ambassadors and Cousin workers who were at the airport already. We went to lunch in the airport and Dawn talked me into a Pineapple Margarita...ok ok I was easily convinced to partake :)

We hung around a bit for one more ambassador to fly in and then we were driven back to our hotel while the other two ambassadors from the West Coast flew in a little later in the day. This was one of the BEST parts of the trip for me - we have such a packed schedule the other days with events going on with Cousin so it was so fun to be able to sneak in some time on the beach!!!

I.was.in.heaven. The ocean is SO FREAKING BLUE in florida! And it was WARM! Like bathwater!! Nothing like the dirty jersey oceans this philly girl is used to!!! I set myself up with a daiquiri from the beach bar and completely relaxed for a few hours before I had to get ready for our first event.

The first night of the trip Cousin hosts a little cocktail event at the hotel to introduce all of the ambassadors to each other and get to know a lot of the employees that work at Cousin! We were supposed to wear one of our favorite handmade creations so I wore a cute little floral dress with my blue web cluster necklace.

There are seven ambassadors this year: myself and four others who I knew from past years and this year we added two new ladies! From left to right we are: Allison of Quiet Lion Creations, Shelly Owen of Raziela's Rant, Rachel Nielsen of Adventures of a DIY Mom, Jennifer Priest of Hydrangea Hippo, myself, Dawn Doucette of Bella Amore Jewelry and Lisa Crone of A Bead a Day. Jennifer and Rachel are our two newest ambassadors!

We had such a fun night of chatting and catching up with the ambassadors and other Cousin employees we had met last year, nibbling on yummy hors d'oeuvres and of course drinking lots of wine :) The hotel is located RIGHT on the beach so of course we had to take a classy beach jumping photo!!

Thursday morning came bright and early - our ride to Cousin headquarters met us at the hotel at 7AM - ouch! But luckily this GORGEOUS view from my hotel room made the early morning wake-up call so much easier!

Thursday was a PACKED day at Cousin headquarters.  We went on a tour of their facilities, had a few round table discussions, went out on store visits to Michaels, Joanns, and Walmart to see and give feedback on the different bead sections, had a presentation on Swavaroski crystal, and even snuck in some time for designing!

Last year we had about two hours to design specific projects for one of the vendors Cousin supplies to, but this year we were able to just design whatever we felt like! It sure was fun to be able to go up to the WALL of beads to pick out whatever materials I felt like using. I could get used to that!

After a packed day at headquarters we were taken back to our hotel for just a little rest before dinner. I snuck a walk in on the beach and another drink from the beach bar, I really think I could get used to living with this kind of beauty on a daily basis!!!

After some quick time on the beach I got all fancied up again and wore my DIY Anthropologie Knock-Off Necklace with a cute floral maxi.  We went out to dinner at a nice restaurant in Florida where I was super adventurous and ordered a fish dish that I had never heard of before. It was delicious! Eating healthy has caused me to expand my horizons and makes me want to try new foods! Unfortunately the copious amounts of wine that were served with dinner and the two bites of FRIED CHEESECAKE I ate for dessert don't really fit with my normal "diet" but you have to live it up when you can :)

Most of us ambassadors after dinner with Jessica from Cousin (on the left of the picture) she takes care of marketing for the company and is in charge of the ambassador program.  She did a FABULOUS job planning the whole retreat and we all love her to pieces!

Friday morning we were taken back to the Cousin headquarters again bright and early  We spent some time giving feedback for Cousin's retail site - Prima Bead and had a few extra meetings. Some of the ambassadors were also able to spend some time filming video tutorials for different jewelry making projects which was really cool! Unfortunately we all had to head back to the airport at noon so the only extra thing we had time to sneak in was some shopping in the bead warehouse!!!

We had ten minutes to "shop" on this huge wall of beads and fill a flat rate shipping box with as many beads as we could fit. Whew! It was intense! I can't wait to get all of my goodies in the mail and craft with them :) After our mad bead dash it was time to pack up it all up and head back to the airport to head home :( womp womp. This trip is always way too short!! The only thing keeping me happy on the plane ride home was this cute new wire wrapped bracelet that Shelly whipped up for me while we had some down time in between filming video tutorials. I love going on trips with other jewelry makers, cool jewelry for everyone!!!!! :)

So now I'm back home in PA but totally missing the beautiful beaches of Florida and all of my beading and Cousin friends. It was such a fun little get-away and has completely inspired me to get beading some more and excited to work on some fun new projects in the near future!!!

Finding Jewelry Inspiration

I'm so excited for this week, Wednesday earrrrly in the morning I am flying back down to visit the Cousin Corporation headquarters for my second annual brand ambassador retreat! I had so much fun the last visit I had (I blogged about it here, here and here) and I can't wait to be back in sunny Florida for a quick trip filled with lots of beads again!

Cousin recently asked each of us ambassadors to blog about where we find our inspiration for making jewelry. I get inspired a few different ways and thought I would share a few with you too!

One of the biggest ways I get inspired is just by visually being able to see my beads.  I love to play around with different bead combinations and that is generally what starts a new jewelry project for me.  If i can't easy see or access my beads though it is hard for me get inspired! Thus, I try to keep my beads out in the open as much as possible.  I blogged about it awhile back but I still LOVE my bead organization magnet board. This board hangs right above my beading desk and doubles as a piece of artwork (I think it is pretty at least!!) and functional storage for my beads. The best part? The beads are stored in clear glass front containers so I can easily look up from my craft desk and see what other kinds of beads I have available to work into a design!

Since I'm on my second year of being a brand ambassador for Cousin, I've accumulated quite a stash of beads and findings! I bought this clear pegboard off amazon as another way to be able to hang up strands of beads and packs of findings to be able to see what I have to work with.

Sometimes I feel like this is my own personal bead aisle at the craft store....except they are all mine and I don't have to buy them to take home with me ;)

Besides being able to easily see my jewelry supplies to get inspired by them, I also get inspired by following fashion retailers to see the types of jewelry they are selling! I love checking out Anthropologie, Stella and Dot, J. Crew, etc. to see what kinds of trends they are pushing. Sometimes the trends I see inspire me to make new designs and sometimes I like to just plain old copy cat and make my own knock-off version! Two of my favorite knock-offs are these anthropologie knock-off earrings

 

and this anthropologie knock-off necklace!

 

When I'm not looking at retailer sites, I of course love to check out Pinterest for new ideas as well.  I have an entire board dedicated to jewelry making ideas and whenever I am feeling super stumped or not inspired at all I will scroll through this board and usually come away much more inspired!

 Lastly, I get inspired by just keeping my eye out for different jewelry making techniques and trends where ever I am! I will be the first to admit that I am that awkward girl who whips out her smart phone in the middle of macy's or forever 21 to snap a picture of a cute set of earrings or that adorable bangle set to recreate later on my own.  I also have countless screen shots on my iPhone from jewelry I see on facebook or different style bloggers wearing on instagram that I squirrel away for inspiration later.  The world is full of jewelry and my eyes are always open and searching for more inspiration!!

 

Overcoming Obstacles in Jewelry Making & Necklace Tutorial

You know what I wish I had? Ends and ends of inspiration and creativity. I would sure have a lot more blog posts to write then!!! I feel like I am a fairly creative person (hence why I have a craft blog...) but one of the challenges I come across most in jewelry making is a lack of inspiration.

Sometimes I buy certain beads or supplies because they are really cute and I like them, and then they sit...and sit...and sit on my craft desk for months and months and months.  I'll pull them out every now and again to try to make them work with something but to no avail!!

That was the case for me with these cute oval purple charm beads from Prima bead.  I loved them when I saw them online so I ordered a few packs...but after I got them in person I could just NOT figure out what to do with them! Luckily I finally figured out a design so today I'm going give you a tutorial for this necklace and also walk you through my design process a bit.

I knew these fun charms would be the focal point of whatever I made so I started with them.  I like to know exactly how many I have to work with so I took them all out of the packaging and laid them out. 

I've played with these a few times over the past few months and nothing has come together.  I really liked the idea of having a bib style necklace with each different shape being a different row, but i really didn't have enough of each charms to make a very long necklace focal point.

Then instead of staggering the beads I thought I could do a more straight on layers like this shape, but again ran into the problem of not really having enough beads to make the focal point long enough.

Finally, since length kept on being the issue I decided to not try to split the charms up into rows and just work out a pattern in a single length.

Next I had to find a good chain to attach the charms to.  Luckily I work with chain a lot so I keep a decent stash of chain from Cousin & Prima Bead on hand. I tried this chain first....thought it was too chunky.

Then I tried a smaller chain....and thought it was too small.

I tried another medium sized chain... but thought the links were too close together.

Sheesh! Feel like Goldilocks yet??? Finally I found another medium sized chain with wider links and found it to be a match!

But, if I just attached the charms to the chain and left it as is I thought it would be too boring.  So, I found some small round beads I had in matching colors and figured I would work them in between the charms.

Now that I had a general design idea I set to work executing it. I cut a length of chain using wire cutters and found the center.  I opened a jump ring using needle nose pliers and attached the center charm.

I repeated this process on either side of the charm to complete the pattern I had laid out before hand, attaching the charms on every other chain link.

Next I strung a bunch of the small round beads onto headpins

Using needle nose pliers I bent the pin 90 degrees directly above the bead

Then I used wire cutters to trim off all but about a half inch tail from each pin

And grabbed the end of the pin using round nose pliers and bent it back around to form a simple loop

I started individually attaching the beads between the metal charms but found it to look too sparse. Instead I opted to add three beads onto a jump ring like so:

and then attached the whole jump ring onto the open chain link between the first two metal charms.

After all the beads are attached the necklace should look almost complete!

Attach a lobster claw clasp and jump ring onto the ends of the chain using needle nose pliers to finish off the necklace.

And then...finally I had my complete necklace!

 Sometimes I just get stumped with certain beads. It took me awhile to figure out how to use these charms but in the end I'm really happy with how the necklace turned out!

I don't design or create something every time I sit down at my craft table. Sometimes just nothing clicks! Luckily though after enough playing around with different beads I can normally overcome the lack of inspiration challenge in jewelry making! What about you, what challenges have you faced??