- 1). Buy an acrylic jewelry-making book for beginners. This book will teach you the basic steps you need to follow during your beading journey. The key is to have fun but you must carefully read the directions in your book so that you understand what you're doing.
- 2). Read the book and get familiar with the steps and terminology used when beading. There are thousands of different acrylic beads and they vary in style, shape, color, size, and texture. For starters, buy medium sized beads that are easy for you to handle. As far as color goes, be as creative as you like. Wash your hands so that they are free of dirt and oils. This will ensure that your jewelry is clean. Gather all of your supplies including the soft-flex wire, which is used to string your acrylic beads. It is one of the best wires to use when making jewelry.
- 3). Cut the length of soft-flex wire for your necklace or bracelet that you are making. The length is your choice. For example, if you would like a long necklace, cut a piece of wire that is 14 to 16 inches long. For a short necklace, cut a piece of wire that is 10 to 12 inches long. A standard size bracelet is about 6 to 9 inches. Have in mind the pattern that you want to use. A pattern is the style or design that you want to make. Your book and the web can help you find beautiful patterns. There are many different clasps that can be used. A clasp is attached to the wire before stringing the beads. It allows you to wear your jewelry without it falling off of your body. If you are using the standard used clasp, called the tiger-tail, then you need to slide a crimp bead onto one end of the clasp directly onto the tiger tail. The crimp bead will allow your tiger-tail clasp to stay attached to your jewelry. Your book will have illustrations showing you how to do this.
- 4). Carefully slide the tiger-tail back through the crimp bead and tug on it tightly to ensure that the knot doesn't come loose. Lastly, take your pliers and make sure your crimp is flattened so that it is secure. Cut off any extra soft-flex wire that you may have hanging out of the crimp bead. This wire is flexible and very durable. Once you know the acrylic bead color and pattern that you will be using, start by placing a clasp on one end of your cut wire. You will need your pliers to do this. Follow the directions in your beading book to instruct you on how to attach your clasp to the wire depending on the type you have. Next, start adding your acrylic beads to your string. Alternating colors always make a simple and beautiful necklace or bracelet.
- 5). String the necklace or bracelet to the end. Depending on the type of clasp used, you will need to read your book for instructions for that particular clasp. Usually the process is the same as putting on the first clasp that you used. Just be sure that you have allowed enough slack in the necklace so that it doesn’t fit too snugly. Also, pull the end clasp tightly so that you your acrylic jewelry doesn't fall apart. You are done!! Enjoy your work of art.
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