3 Strand Jewelry Wire & Beads Necklace Jewelry Making Project -- Page 1

In this jewelry making project we are going to make a wire component that will allow us to connect a three strand necklace to a single clasp.  For the purposes of these instructions, we will call the wire component a 3:1 component because it has three loops on one side and one loop on the opposite side. 

There are many ways to string a strand of beads.  The oldest way to string beads is by using silk thread and knotting the thread between the beads.  A newer way is to use bead stringing wire and crimp beads along with crimping pliers.  The absolute newest way is to use beadstringing wire and regular round wire to connect the beadstringing wire permanently to a loop of regular wire.  This loop of wire will connect to one of the loops in the 3:1 wire component by a figure 8 connector.  We used this later approach in making the necklace shown at right.  Making this necklace using crimp beads or by knotting thread is an intermediate jewelry making project.  Making the necklace using the new technique for connecting beadstringing wire to a loop of regular wire is an advanced jewelry making skill.  

Our instructions for making this necklace begin on the next page. 

Skills Required:

• Ability to cut wire with with a flush cutter.
• Ability to straighten wire with nylon jaw pliers.
• Ability to make a "P" Loop in wire.
• Ability to use crimp beads to finish a strung necklace.
• Ability to open and close loops to connect jewelry components. 
• Ability to make a jump ring using fine step jaw pliers. 
• Ability to use a WigJig tool to make wire components.