A couple of months ago I found some really cool modern, geometric, wooden bead necklaces online and I really wanted one but, I didn’t want to pay for something I knew I could make! Fast forward – A little online research, online shopping and a trip to the craft store later here’s what I made. I think these necklaces look fabulous and I was able to make multiple necklaces way cheaper than what retailers are selling approximately one for. I loved them so much that I gave them as Christmas gifts to women in my life that I’m close to. As I was making them for each woman I was thinking of how neat it is that we’ll all have the same necklace now and how that kind of ties us together. Every time I put on my necklace I’m reminded of the other ladies who also wear them. How’s their day going? I might even say a little prayer for each of them. These necklaces were such a big hit with the ladies I gave them to that I’m making another round of them for Valentine’s Day!
If you’re interested in making these super easy chic modern necklaces all you need is:
A styrofoam block
Wooden shish kebab skewers
Round leather cording – 2mm x 2.4m
Acrylic paints – whatever colors you desire
Acrylic paint sealer/finisher (optional)
Sponge brushes
Wooden beads (2 types)
Bead, dark brown, 20×20 hand-cut faceted cube. Sold per pkg. of 25
http://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/h207293nb
Bead, wood (bleached), white, 20x20mm hand-cut faceted cube. Sold per pkg. of 25.
http://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/h207302nb
The wooden beads in these pictures are beads I ordered off of Amazon then stained or painted myself. The Fire Mountain Gem beads I suggested above are the same style/cut as the ones I used for this project with the exception that the dark brown ones will be much darker than ones in these pictures which I personally stained. I don’t suggest staining them yourself it’s much easier just to buy them.
This project is super easy and quick to make. The dark brown beads are ready to go as is once you receive them but the bleached beads are the ones you’ll paint in color/s unless you desire that bleached look. First, set up a drying station for the beads that you’re going to paint with a styrofoam block from the Dollar store and some shish kebab skewers.Cut off one end of each of the skewers then stick them in the styrofoam block pointed side facing upward. As you paint your beads stick them on the skewers to dry. Depending on the quality and color of the paint I suggest doing multiple coats of paint. Once your beads are fully dry you can seal them with acrylic sealer/finisher if you desire. If you seal them follow the drying time accordingly. Now its time to assemble your necklace! I personally like no more than five beads per necklace because they are so chunky. I suggest messing around with the length of the cording once the beads are on it. Lastly, cut the cording to your desired length and just finish it off by double knotting the leather cord at the ends to secure.
N.W. Blast 