Wrap it Up Necklace-A Tutorial

 I'm LOVING my new necklace.

 It's subtle glam. 

It's beaded chain wrapped in a tiny chain. The wrapped chain adds great texture and makes it look fancy I think, but is very simple at the same time.

So I saw this idea at Forever 21 and thought it was awesome. Since Forever 21's prices are so low, I went ahead and bought the one they had for around $4 to use as a model (and to go ahead and wear because we all know those great ideas don't actually come into being for several months sometimes...)

I made mine a tad shorter so that I could layer them. 

 Love. 

 Ready to make your own? 

As in any jewelry tutorial, there are several steps, but don't worry, making jewelry can be easy. It does require patience, though! :)

Here we go!

Gather Materials:

You'll need your standard jewelry making tools: 

For this project, however, you will not need  the crimp tool.

 You'll need 20-24 6 or 8mm beads (it's best to use an even number), eye pins, chain that has tiny links, a clasp, and tiny jump rings (not shown). If you are a jewelry-making newbie, you can get all supplies and tools at any craft store (I like the selection at Michael's and sometimes Hobby Lobby the best) or you can shop in the supplies section on Etsy (my favorite).

Create the Beaded Chain

Slide each bead onto one eye pin each and create a simple loop above so that all beads look like this:

Use this diagram below seen in this post to help you make a simple loop. Be sure to make the loops the same size as the ones already created. If they're too small, you'll regret it later!

 Next, connect all the loops together to make a beaded chain.

Open a simple loop on one end of a bead by sliding your round nosed pliers into the opening of the loop and pull out. Slide the simple loop of another bead onto it. 

 Use your bent nosed pliers to close the loop. 

 Continue to do this until all your beads are connected as seen above. Then gather two jump rings and your chain. 

Wrap the Chain Around and Around

 Now we need to connect the tiny chain to the beaded chain you just made. Open one jump ring by placing the round nosed pliers in the opening and use your bent nosed pliers to grasp the opposite side and pull apart.

 Hold the open jump ring with your bent nosed pliers place the beaded chain you made and the tiny chain onto the jump ring and close the jump ring. To close the jump ring (not pictured), grasp one side of your jump ring with your bent nosed pliers and one side with your flat nosed pliers and push together. 

Now you have the two connected.  

Now here's the fun part! Open the simple loop below the bead and place the chain inside the hook.  

 Then take your bent nosed pliers and close the loop around the chain. The wire of the closed loop should not be pinning the chain down against itself. The chain should be inside the loop. This can be tricky, but it works much better this way. Be sure the chain is pulled tight and is flush against the bead.

 Wrap your chain around the closed simple loop 3 times. It will look like a big ball, but it won't stay like that so don't worry. 

 Then open the next jump ring that is connected to the one you wrapped and wrap your chain around the open hook. Then use your bent nosed pliers to close it. Wrapping the chain around the hook keeps the wrapped chain from coming undone. (Believe me, I didn't do this at first and had to go back and re-do part of it because it was all unravelling!)

Now take your thumb and index finger and pull that balled up chain down so it covers both simple loops. Beautiful! 

Then keep going. And going. Once you get the hang of it, it really doesn't take that long. 

Woo Hoo! Done with the hard part.

Finish it Up!

 Now you're going to connect the rest of your chain and put on your clasp. To see how long your chain needs to be, wrap it around your neck, look in the mirror and hold the wrapped chain part you just made with it to see where you want it to hit on you. Hold onto the spot on the chain where you need to cut and use your wire cutters to cut it. Then fold that part in half and cut. You will attach each of these chains to each side of the wrapped beaded chain you just made using jump rings like you see in the picture above. My chain (before cutting in half) was about 15 inches long.

Then use jump rings to attach the lobster clasp to the other end of the chain. I also used about 5 jump rings to create a bigger looped chain at the end to make the necklace a little more adjustable and added a bead to the end for some added fun.

 And done!!

 Now put it on and enjoy!

 Or make another one (or 5 more!!!) at different lengths and layer them!!

 Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! 

Thanks for reading!

Linking here
and Six Sisters Stuff



P.S. What do you think of the hair? This is how it looks when it air dries. I normally never go out in public like this, but it looked kinda ok so I braved keeping it for the camera. Sooooo should I go out in public or keep it to the house and my backyard? Haha. Be honest!