Project Idea -- Rectangle (or Oval Bead) Necklace Need an idea to use a full strand of large rectangle or oval beads? Here is a necklace and bracelet project designed to use one entire strand of 20-25mm rectangle or oval beads.

Supply List -
1Strand Semi-Precious Gemstone Beads, 20-25mm rectangles or ovals, choice of stone (necklace example is 20mm pink dyed Magnesite)
18-22 Coordinating Gemstone Round Beads, 6mm, choice (shown with Rose Quartz)
32-40 Rondelle Spacer Sterling or Pewter Beads, 4mm (06-51-FM4023 or 06-TC0408-12)
8-12 Round Sterling or Silver Plate Beads, 4mm (06-BSS1004A or 06-51-FM1474)
2 Twist Sterling or Pewter Toggle Clasps, (03-51-RT9557) or choice
3 Jumprings Sterling or Plated, 5-7mm (optional)
beading wire, crimp beads, optional wire guards

Tools: Bead Stopper 03-51-RT4406 (or tape), wire cutters, flat nose or crimping pliers, optional G-S Hypo Cement or super glue

To begin use your wire cutters to cut an approximate 24" strand of Beading wire. Add a Bead Stopper (or tape) to the end of your wire, leaving 2-3"of wire in reserve. Before starting the necklace, set aside four to five of your large rectangle/oval beads for the bracelet (use five if large stone beads are 20-23mm, four if they are larger).

Start the necklace by stringing three 4mm round silver bead, then a 6mm round stone bead, a 4mm rondelle bead and one of your stone rectangle/oval beads. Repeat by adding another 4mm rondelle, a 6mm round stone, another rondelle and a rectangle/oval. Continue with repetitions until all large stone beads are strung, then add one more rondelle, a 6mm stone round and three 4mm silver rounds.

Once all the beads are in place, put a crimp bead on the wire end, then run wire through the channel of an optional Wire Guard (see photo at right). Loop the Wire Guard through the loop of the ring-end of your toggle clasp, then feed wire back through crimp bead as well as one or two end 4mm beads. Use a flat nose or crimping plier to flatten the crimp bead. Remove Bead Stopper (or tape), and add a crimp bead and Wire Guard to that end, looping through a jumpring or loop of toggle bar, and repeating above steps to have both ends of the necklace secure. If ending with a jumpring, attach bar end of the toggle by gently twisting open the jump ring, linking it through the loop of the toggle bar, then twisting the jump ring closed. If desired, add a dot of G-S Adhesive or other jeweler's glue to the crimped beads, then trim extra beading wire.

To create the bracelet, follow all the above steps for the necklace, using four or five bead repetitions depending on large stone bead size. The example shown makes a 7 1/2" bracelet. You may adjust size of your bracelet by adding more 4mm silver round beads and/or an additional 6mm stone bead on each end of bracelet.

All the supplies on the list above can be purchased in-store at Bead Jam; most also available on our On-line store. Follow link for our store site. Do a search for the exact stock number or to see all choices or do a general search for supplies.

Design and instructions copyright of Bead Jam LLC; creation of projects is for personal or gift use only. Feel free to print and distribute projects as long as credit is given to www.beadjam.com