If you love elegant and classy jewellery, then this DIY project is perfect for you! In this guide, you will learn how to create a beautiful, beaded bow necklace using Preciosa Crystals and silver-plated findings. This necklace is perfect to accessorise with most outfits, elevating your look, so why not try making your own DIY beaded bow choker using Preciosa bicone and round beads, along with silver plated crimp beads and covers? This project is perfect for those who love a little sparkle and want to add a unique piece to their jewellery collection.
The full list of Preciosa crystals, components and tools needed to complete this project can be found below. If you click on the product description (link), the respective product page will open, where each item can be viewed and added to cart:
Component | Component Name / Link | Quantity |
Preciosa Beads Round 6mm Chrysolite | x 75 | |
Preciosa Beads Bicone 4mm Chrysolite AB | x 70 | |
Silver Plated Crimp Beads | x 4 | |
Sterling Silver (925) Crimp Covers | x 1 | |
Sterling Silver (925) Bolt Ring Clasp | x 1 | |
Sterling Silver (925) Jump Ring | x 1 | |
Monofilament Illusion Cord Clear | x 1 | |
Side Cutters | x 1 | |
Crimping Pliers | x 1 |
Step 1
Gather your supplies
Before you begin, make sure you have all the materials listed above. Lay out your beads and findings on a beading mat or soft towel so they are easily accessible and won’t roll away. Make sure you have the appropriate pliers too. Establish the length you want for your choker and add 15cm, trim with your side cutters.
Step 2
Attaching your clasp and starting your necklace
To attach your clasp and begin your necklace, start by threading a crimp bead on your illusion cord 5cm in. Next thread your clasp on and then thread back through your crimp bead to create a loop which the clasp sits on. Pull this tightly so the clasp cannot move and the 5cm of cord you have left over is sitting against the other side of the cord. Next, taking your crimping pliers, crush the crimp bead closed with the first set of grooves and then round the bead off with the second set of grooves like pictured below.
Step 3
Cover your crimp beads
Take a crimp cover and place it over the crimp bead to cover it. Next, take your crimping pliers and with the second set of grooves use these to carefully close your crimp cover. This should not move.
Step 4
Thread the round beads
Start by threading your round beads through both sides of the cord, sitting flush against the crimp bead cover you have just closed shut. Make sure all your round beads cover the 5cm cord you have leftover, going through both cords until the leftover cord is all covered up, continue to thread all of your beads until you reach the length you desire.
Step 5
Ending the choker with a crimp bead and jump ring
Thread another crimp bead against the last round bead, thread your jump ring making sure to fully close it before. Thread your cord through the crimp bead again like you had done with the clasp. It should look like the image below. Pull it tightly against the crimp and round bead, leaving all your excess on the other side of the crimp bead. Close your crimp bead like you have done before and cover it too. Trim your excess to 5cm and thread it all back through the round beads.
Step 6
Beginning your bow
You will want to precut 30cm of the illusion cord, thread a bicone bead followed by a crimp bead and back through the bicone bead, using the same method as before when attaching your clasp and jump ring on. The crimp bead should sit in the loop you had created. Pull this loop tightly closed so there is 3cm excess poking back through the bicone bead. Crush your crimp bead as before and apply the cover.
STEP 7
Threading the bicone beads to create the bow
Once you have created the start of your bow continue threading 10 bicone beads, threading through both cords until the excess is covered. Feel free to thread more, this determines how long the bow streamers are. Once you have threaded all your bicone beads on, determine the middle of the round bead chain you had previously created. Thread the bow streamer through the middle of this round bead and continue threading your bicone beads. I used 25 for the loop of these bows, but you can use more or less depending on how big you would like your bow loops to be. Thread back through this middle bead. Place on another 25 beads like before, threading back through the middle bead. You should now have two bow loops on either side of this middle bead. On the end that has just poked through the middle bead, thread 10 beads again for your second streamer. Pull everything tight. Finish your end like you begun the other streamer, looping a crimp bead after the last bicone bead, crimp it shut and cover it.
Congratulations your DIY beaded bow choker is ready to wear! This trendy and eye-catching accessory is sure to add a touch of glamour to any outfit and make you stand out from the crowd. So why not get creative and try making your own beaded bow choker using Preciosa bicone and round beads, silver plated crimp beads and covers? This fun and easy DIY project is a great way to unleash your inner fashionista and create a custom piece.