How to Make a Floating Bead Necklace

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

A "floating" bead necklace is an eye-catching piece that can be store-bought, but allows for customization when you make it yourself. Best of all, you can find all of the needed supplies at your local craft store.

Steps

1
Gather the materials listed in the "Things You'll Need" section.
2
Attach the clasp to one end of the string.
- Slide a crimp bead and the clasp onto the string.
- Push the short end of the string through the crimp bead to form a loop. Pull it tight.
- Using flathead or crimping pliers, crimp the bead so the clasp is secure.
- Cut the excess string using wire cutters.
Advertisement
3
Decide how much space you want between your beads. To mark the location of the beads, use White-Out or a similar correction fluid to make small marks on the string.
4
Put one crimp bead on the string where you want a glass bead. Flatten the crimp bead with your pliers.
5
Slide on the glass bead.
6
Put on another crimp bead. Make sure the glass bead is secure between the two crimp beads, and then flatten it with your pliers.
7
Continue to attach beads until you have finished the necklace. Leave about two inches of string at the end to attach the other part of the clasp.
8
Repeat step two with the jump ring. This is what you will attach the clasp to in order to close the necklace.
9
If you used White-Out to mark the beads' location, scratch it off with your nail once it dries.
10
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I make the floating bead necklace without the clasp?

Community Answer

If you use plastic/vinyl thread to make the beads float, make the thread longer and tie so you can slip it over your head. A dab of clear fingernail polish will hold the knot.

Warnings

Exercise caution when using wire cutters or pliers.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
When cutting the string, watch out for flying pieces.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

Length of Tigertail or Soft-flex (thin, nylon-coated, steel cable)
- Whichever you use depends on your preference
- You can also use fishing line, but it isn't as strong and the crimp beads tend to slide around.
- Either gold or silver tone works
- If you would like the finished necklace to be 12 inches (30.5 cm) long, cut 16 inches (40.6 cm) of Tigertail/Soft-flex
Crimp beads - gold or silver tone to match your string
Glass, stone, or faux pearl beads
Clasp and jump ring
Wire cutters
Flathead or crimping pliers