BEADED HEART NECKLACE - TWO WAYS
BEADING & JEW ELRY MAKING TUTORIAL SERIES K1
COPYRIGHT
Copyrights DIY Beading Club 2014
Published By DIY Beading Club
INTRODUCTION
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make a beaded heart using right angle weave with two threads. This is the simplest form of making beaded hearts that I've found looks like hearts and can be increased or decreased in size depending upon variances.
You can also change between single loop pendant and double-sided pendant to add flair to your creations.
The tutorial is catered for beginners or anyone who loves to learn this basic weave. It has in-depth instructions and ultra-clear, close-up photos at each step. Additionally,
you can ask me question you have on the tutorial. No more getting stuck and frustrated on a confusing or just plain inaccurate pattern.
MATERIALS AND TOOLS NEEDED:
Materials Needed
24 White 4mm pearls
29 Teal 6mm pearls
Single Loop Pendant requires an additional 84 6mm beads
Double Loop Pendant requires an additional 80 6mm beads
Beading thread or nylon
7-Strand Beadalon Wire (I use silver but if you’re working with gold findings then
substitute for gold)
3 6mm Jump Rings for Single Loop/2 6mm Jump Rings for Double Loop.
1 Lobster Claw
2 Wire Guardians for Single Loop/4 Wire Guardians for Double Loop
2 Crimp Beads for Single Loop/4 Crimp Beads for Double Loop
1 Bail
Tools Needed
Crimper
Wire Cutters
2 Chain nose pliers
Beading Technique: Right Angle Weave with two threads
Part One: Constructing the Heart
The best way to create a beaded heart necklace is to fist construct the heart. Once the heart is made it can be transformed into a necklace; there's two ways I've found to do this depending on style and preference and we'll get to those options a bit later. The first thing you want to do is decided on the colour you want your heart to be. I've used duel tones in my beads because I not only like the contrast, but I also find that it helps when you're first learning to have that contrast. I'm going to be using 6mm teal pearls and 4mm white pearls. Cut 60cm (23.5in) of monofilament wire from the spool. You may choose to colour one of your tips so you can discern the left side from the right side but it's not necessary.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUC TIONS
1. Thread three 6mm beads, pick up a fourth and cross the right and left side through and pull it to create a small cross.
2. Add one 6mm bead to both the left and right side, pick up a third 6mm bead and cross through the right and left side as before, pulling on the threads so it slides down against the other two.
3. Add one 6mm bead to both the left and right side, pick up a third 6mm bead and cross through the right and left side a third time, again sliding it down to rest against the previous two.
4. Now for the next part, take a sewing pin or a safety pin and slide it through the three outside beads and secure it to your work area. This will help prevent it from moving around during the next few stages.
5. Now that your work is secure, add one 6mm bead to your right thread. Pick up a second 6mm bead and thread both the right and left side through and pull together. Repeat this step once more.
6. Take your left thread and go through the first bead to your left.
7. Add a 6mm and a 4mm bead to your right thread and then cross through a 6mm bead with both the left and right thread.
8. Take your left thread and go through the second bead to your left, next to the one we went through before.
9. Add a 4mm and a 6mm bead to your right thread and then cross through a 6mm bead with both the left and right threads.
10. Take your left thread and go through the third bead to your left.
11. Add a 6mm bead to that left thread; cross both the left and right side through a second 6mm bead.
12. Add one 6mm bead to both sides; cross through a third 6mm bead.
13. Add one 6mm bead to your left thread and cross through a second 6mm bead with both sides
14. Add one 6mm bead to your left thread and cross through a second 6mm bead with both sides once more.
15. Now with your right string, feed it through the right outside bead of the cross we made before; it is situated two over from the last 4mm bead in the row of two.
16. Now feed it through the 6mm bead situated right next to the last 4mm bead in the row of two.
17. Your threads should be exiting parallel to each other; the right thread from the 6mm bead next to the double row of 4mm beads and the left thread right where we left it after adding the last 6mm bead.
18. Add a 4mm bead to your right thread and cross through a 6mm bead with both threads. As you slide it down, you should now see the heart's shape.
19. Both your threads should be exiting out of different sides on the same bead. If you want to wear this as a pendant, add three 4mm beads to the right thread after going through the three 4mm beads in the previous step and then loop them back through the same three 4mm beads you just went through before going through the 6mm bead. You can now unpin it.
20. Now both your threads should be exiting out of opposing side with a 6mm, three 4mm and a 6mm bead between them. It doesn't matter which side you start with for the next part but I'm right-handed so I tend to start from the right side. String a 4mm bead onto your thread, run it through the 6mm bead on your right; string two 4mm beads and run through the next 6mm bead. String two 4mm beads and run through the next 6mm bead; string one 4mm bead and run through the next 6mm bead and finally string one 4mm bead and string through the last 6mm bead on the right side. Repeat this process for the left.
21. Once both threads are exiting from the 6mm beads at the tip of the heart, thread both threads through a 4mm bead.
22. Next, thread your right thread up through the two 6mm beads from the tip; do the same with the left thread.
23. Cross them both through a 4mm bead.
24. Take your right thread and go through the 6mm bead to the right; the third bead up from the tip and add a 4mm bead.
25. Go through the next 6mm bead to the right and add another 4mm bead and go through the next 6mm bead to the right. Repeat this process for the left side as well.
26. Take your threads and string them through the 6mm beads above the first pair of 4mm beads and weave them towards the central 4mm bead in the center of the heart.* The wires should exit out of the 4mm beads on either side of the center 4mm bead, but do not cross them through the center 4mm bead.
*If you'd like to have dual ends, bring your threads through the pair of 4mm beads and add four 4mm beads and circle them back through before stringing them through the 6mm bead and continue onwards.
27. Cross through a 6mm bead and bring the strands through the 6mm beads to the bottom of the bead you just cross through. Tie off your threads and pass them through some nearby beads before snipping the ends.
Part Two: The Necklace
Now depending on whether you've chosen the pendant format or the dual ended format, you'll either be threading beads on as a whole or in two parts. 28. If you've chosen a pendant format, cut one piece of 7-Strand Beadalon Wire about 55cms long from your spool. I choose to normally have a few inches extra in order to crimp my wire without issue. Before you start stringing your beads, attach a jump ring to the center of the circle you made at the top of your heart, and add a bail before you close the ring.
29. Slide a crimp bead onto your wire, thread it around the wire guardian and back through the crimp bead. Tighten the crimp up against the wire guardian and crimp with your crimper. If you're still new to crimping, remember to use the back slot in your crimping tool first, turn your wrist 90o and then crimp using the front slot. I tell my students that a proper crimp makes a butt so if it helps you to remember when you're crimping, keep in mind to always make a butt.
30. Now string on your beads until you're about half-way through your length and add your heart pendant. Continue on stringing your beads until you've about two inches left so you've room to crimp your other half. Slide on a crimp bead, work the wire around the wire guardian and back through the crimp and through one of your beads to hide the wire. Pull the wire taught to nestle the wire guardian and crimp against the beads. If need be, use a pair of pliers to assist in in the nestling. Crimp your bead.
31. Open your jump rings. If you're new to using the, remember to twist them open. If you pull them apart from the sides they will become deformed. Slide your rings through the holes left by your wire guardians and twist them back towards each other to close. With one of your rings, before closing, add your lobster claw on whichever side you prefer. Again, I'm right handed so I put mine on the right. You've now a finished necklace.
32. If you've used the dual method, cut about 55cms of 7-Strand Beadalon wire from your spool. Fold the wire in half and cut at the center. You now have two equal pieces of wire for either side of your heart. Add a crimp bead to your wire and run it through your wire guardian; now before you slide the wire back through your crimp bead, slip it around one of the two rings and then bring the wire back through the crimp bead, tighten and crimp.
33. Now thread your beads as you would normally until you reach about two inches left; add a crimp bead and thread the wire through a wire guardian and back through the crimp bead, a regular bead, tighten and crimp. Do the same with the other wire. Once you've your strands, add your jump rings and lobster claw and you're finished.
You can change the sizes of the beads to make larger or smaller hearts, just keep the beads 2mm apart in size when you do to ensure optimal shape.
CONTACT US
I hope you have enjoyed making the jewelry. If you have any query or feedback for
the tutorial, please contact us at [email protected].
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I've been beading for about two and a half years now, I teach jewelry classes at my local craft store
where I also work and I've recently started by own jewelry business. I've been crafting since I was a
child and have since stepped up my beading from a hobby into something I do almost everyday. I
enjoy teaching others how to make jewelry and I can't wait to continue to teach you. - Keri Dudas,
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