DIY Beaded Shell Necklaces

Hello, my name is Erica and I'm a bead hoarder. How can I ever resist all that color and texture? Throughout the years, I've collected an endless stands of beads from all over the world - from my jewelry designing days to my present Etsy trolling days. After stumbling upon a few pretty gold shell charms a couple of weeks ago, I knew I had to put some of my favorite beads to good use. After all, is there anything that epitomizes summer more then a layered stack of beaded shell necklaces? I think not . . .

You'll Need:

Short Necklaces
shellnecklace36

Start by unraveling the bead cord. I like using the Griffin Beading Cord because it comes in a variety of color and comes with a needle attached, which makes beading so much easier. Thread on a crimping bead and then a lobster clasp.

Pull both the crimping bead and clasp towards the end of the cord. Then take the needle and thread it through the crimp bead, out towards the ends of the cord. Pull it tight and then crimp the bead with a crimper. If you don't have a crimper, you can use a pair of pliers to squeeze the crimp bead shut.

Trim away the extra tail of cording. Start threading on beads and stop when you've reached half the length desired for your necklace.

Add the remaining beads. Add a crimp bead and a closed jump ring. Thread the need back through the jump ring and then through the crimp bead, towards the necklace.

Pull the cord taut and crimp the crimp bead closed.

Long Necklaces
shellnecklace35

For longer necklaces, you won't be needing a clasp as they can easily slip over your neck. To start a longer necklace, tie a double knot at the end of the beading cord. Start threading on beads.

Halfway through, add your shell charm.

Continue adding the rest of the beads and center the beads so that there is enough slack on either end of the necklace.

Undo the double knot you made to start and thread the cord through an embroidery needle. Pass the cord through the top of a tassel. Remove the needle, thread the other side of the cord through the needle and pass it through the opposite side of the tassel.

Pull taut and tie the cord into a double knot. Trim the ends.

images by HonestlyWTF

Leave a Comment

30 Comments

  1. Michelle wrote:

    They are absolutely gorgeous, perfect for a summer look!

    7.20.18
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      Thanks, Michelle!

      7.20.18
    • Maria Alonso wrote:

      They are beautiful Erica, I love them. Could you please tell me where I can buy those beads? I looked on ali express but all I have found are not as beautiful as yours. Thank you

      4.14.20
    • Erica wrote:

      Hi Maria, all the beads are linked to in the supply list. They’re from Etsy.

      4.15.20
  2. Jeannie Wallace wrote:

    These are amazing and I want to make them all lol. Thanks for sharing.

    7.20.18
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      I hope you do, Jeannie!

      7.22.18
  3. Stacey Mickey-Neustadt wrote:

    These are so pretty. I especially like how you incorporated the pink
    tassel. I am not creative at all, but you’ve inspired me to make this necklace.

    7.21.18
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      Oh, I’m so glad, Stacey!

      7.22.18
  4. This looks so great! I love the layered look and how you added the tassels on the back. Great tips!

    7.21.18
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      Thanks, Lisa!

      7.22.18
  5. Nicole wrote:

    Gorgeous necklaces and they look great with the white top you are wearing! Who is the designer? They look perfect together!

    7.22.18
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      Thanks, Nicole! The top is from IRO and you can find it here. It’s also on sale! 🙂

      7.22.18
  6. EMHR wrote:

    Being one of those people who never seems to have the time to make something like these, I would gladly pay for these. Love them!

    7.23.18
    Reply
  7. nyai toto wrote:

    its so cute, please visit my website to see more kind like this. thanks

    http://nyaitoto.com/

    7.25.18
    Reply
  8. Malini wrote:

    So gorgeous! Where do you buy the supplies!! I wanna make a matching one for me and my daughter

    7.27.18
    Reply
    • Maha wrote:

      I loved the colored layers beaded necklace with pearl and shells sooooo nice
      How I can buy them
      Thanks

      4.9.20
  9. Susanne wrote:

    Beautiful handmade necklaces – perfect for summer time! I like the long necklaces a bit more than the short ones.

    8.9.18
    Reply
  10. Barb wrote:

    Nothing origineel

    8.14.18
    Reply
  11. Anitachaywood wrote:

    Love this idea

    8.21.18
    Reply
  12. kalungan apa kueh,..

    9.13.18
    Reply
  13. Thx for the very clear instructions. I need to create on for my sister and my mum.

    10.24.18
    Reply
  14. Eiginta Eidintaite wrote:

    Hei, but where you orderering the beads? Everything? 😉 for jewelery

    eiginta

    5.10.19
    Reply
  15. Cristiane C buntin wrote:

    Hi! The necklaces are absolutely beautiful! Just finished one and I was looking at the supply list and did not find the gold discs pictured in the white necklace. Would you please let me know which kind are those? Thank you!

    8.16.19
    Reply
  16. BEATRIZ wrote:

    BEAUTIFUL!

    4.5.20
    Reply
  17. Luna wrote:

    Hi!!
    Does someone know how many beads you have to order to make the yellow/white necklace? So how many of those beads are used?

    4.29.20
    Reply
  18. Akhila wrote:

    hey! you should make a youtube video for this, i love the quality of your pictures and how you explain it! you should totally look into it 🙂

    7.6.20
    Reply