How to Make a Bead Link

by Marilyn Gardiner

Bead links are integral components in most necklaces. Here's how to make your own.

Instructions

What is a Bead Link?

A bead link is a length of wire that holds one or more beads, and has a loop at each end. The wire could be rigid wire, or flexible beading wire. Here are some tips for making the kind with rigid wire-and here are two examples.

A bead link can be the center focus of a necklace, or it can be repeated and alternated with sections of chain mail.

Marilyn Gardiner's How to Make a Bead Link - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, 3 bead on a link

Marilyn Gardiner's How to Make a Bead Link - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Bead link

Let's make one!

First - decide on the bead or beads you want on each link. Because this rigid wire link is not going to be flexible, I suggest maximum length of 2-3 inches. (You will be able to curve the links a bit if you need to.)

Second - decide on the thickness (gauge) of the wire you plan to use to make the bead link. Small, delicate beads may use 22-24 gauge (AWG) wire, while heavier beads will require 18-20 gauge.

Use an inexpensive length of craft wire of the same gauge to play with your beads and come up with just the right combination before you go to the work of cutting a length of your "good" wire, adding the beads, and then forming the links at each end. Think about adding small spacer beads beside or between your more important beads. Metal beads are good choices for spacers-consider round, donut, or saucer shapes.

Third - decide on the type of loops you want to add at each end of the link. (The loops allow you to connect to your chain mail sections.) Will it be a simple loop, a double loop, or a wrapped loop? When you decide, make some practice ones with your craft wire. When you have a loop you like, unroll it and measure how much wire it consumed.

Next - decide on the length required for your "good" wire. Measure the length of wire needed for your beads, and then add on the amount for two loops. (If making wrapped loops, add a bit extra wire that will be trimmed at the end.) I recommend that you test this length with craft wire prior to cutting the "good" wire.

You now know exactly how much and what gauge of wire you need for your bead link. Set out your good wire and a good pair of flush cutters for jewelry.

These cutters have one flat side ( photo here)

And one beveled side.

You want your length of wire to have a flat edge at both ends. Take your coil of wire, and check the first end. If it isn't flat, cut a small bit off to make it flat-or else you can file it flat.

Marilyn Gardiner's How to Make a Bead Link - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Wire Cutter

Finally - take a metal ruler that has flat ends, and numbers that start right at the edge. Let's say you want a 4″ length-set the cut end of the wire at 4 inches, hold it in place with one hand, and use the cutters in your other hand to snip the wire right against the end of the ruler-making sure you are using the flat-cutting edge.

Make a loop at one end, add your beads, make the second loop. Done!

Marilyn Gardiner's How to Make a Bead Link - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Measure with ruler

Here is a photo of a sample necklace with bead links and chain mail components made from Parallel weave (Helm chain).

Marilyn Gardiner's How to Make a Bead Link - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Necklace with bead links and Helm Chain

Materials

Wire

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Beads

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Tools

C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
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12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler

G7-30

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Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

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Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

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Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

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6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1

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Category: Classic
Technique(s): Making Loops, Wrapping

Reviews

Marilyn Gardiner

I am a teacher who worked for many years as a teacher librarian and educational computer consultant. As part of my job I taught teachers and principals how to use computers in the classroom and I developed curriculum modules.I love jewelry, color, pattern, and design. It is thrilling to create something new that others love too. And I truly enjoy breaking down something complex into an easy-to-learn sequence that I can share with others, whether in print or in a classroom.

During the past 10 years I have energetically and enthusiastically developed my beading and chain mail skills and used my teaching background with adults to develop bead work and chain mail kits with step-by-step instructions that really work. I know that the kits have good quality instructions because of the positive feedback from students I teach and from customers who buy the kits at shows and from my online store.I regularly teach classes locally in Toronto ON, as well as occasionally in Mississauga, Barrie, Temple TX and San Antonio TX.I have been a vendor at bead shows in Toronto ON, Guelph ON, Montreal QC, Ottawa ON, Calgary AB, Halifax NS, Milwaukee WI, and Tucson AZ - and I teach a full slate of classes at these shows. My website has details.

In 2007 I was "Folk Artist in Residence - Beadwork" at the Joseph Schneider Haus in Kitchener ON. This involved setting up a series of lectures, seminars, and demonstrations throughout the year. There was also a good-sized gallery exhibit of beadwork that featured my work and included the contemporary and historical work of many others. The residency resulted in several articles in the local media.

I later completed a bead work commission for the museum, and some of my work is sold in the museum gift shop.I have published projects available online at Beading Times, Bead Bugle, All Free Jewelry, and The Beading Gem's Journal. Some of my kits are sold online through Beadfx. Kalmbach Publishing published my first book, Modern Chain Mail Jewelry, in 2015.Most of my time at present is directed to creating new chain mail projects.

I am currently working on several new designs that will be ready as kits and for teaching this fall. Each of these will have an Argentium sterling and a copper or Jeweler's Bronze version, and a couple will be silver filled 925/10. This will bring my chain mail kit total to more than 150. (My husband makes all our jump rings and packages the kits. Good man!)

Website: www.marilyngardiner.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GardinerDesign