I Make My Own Jewellery

I admit it - I've got hooked on making these easy-peasy necklaces.  It's about as good as I'll get, for now, but I do find them fast and fun to do, and great for travel.  I mean, since I've got many of the beads from old bracelets I've had in my stash, I don't have to keep 'em in the hotel safe.  Also, they're slightly stretchy, so I don't feel too confined in them - they'll all slip over my head if required.
I've got one for each outfit - well, at least I'm working on that.
Eek - here I am - a rare piccy of me, wearing my latest necklace.  Run for the hills!

A selection...

All together

OK, this is a tad washed out, but you should just be able to see how I do these. 

Let me explain...

First, choose a button.  A shank one works well, but I have also used ones with the holes in with equal success.  Now choose some beads.  The important thing, of course, is to ensure the button and the beads can slide onto your chosen thread.  

Thread all the beads, in reverse order, onto your thread.  I've been using a silky cotton. 

Those lovely people at Abakhan gave me a great tip for threading beads - apply craft glue to the end of the thread and allow it to dry - you now have an instant 'needle'.  Brilliant.

Now, either thread a loop thro' the button, or, if it will fit, some chain - either way, your aim is to slip-stitch join and carry on in chain, till you are ready to start bringing up your beads.  You can see this on the right of the piccy above.

OK, do you see how the beads tend to form a helix - a bit like those molecular strings?  It's clearest in the picture with three necklaces in.

I don't know how that happens, but I like the effect.  If you do, too, then try to ensure you make the necklace all in one go.  By that I mean: don't get interrupted, because if you take your hook from your work, even temporarily, then you may lose that 'continuity' of twist, as the hook may now be facing the other way, the loop will twist the wrong way, and so will your necklace.

So, when you are ready, still working in chain, bring up a bead, work one chain, bring up another bead, work one chain, and so on.  Do this till all the beads are used up.  Carry on in chain until both sides of the chain are equal in length, then do a bit more.  

To make the loop, just slip stitch join a little way back down the chain, and carry on an inch or so along the chain, this making a secure loop. Check the button fits thro' OK before you finish off.

Use a dot or so of fabric or craft glue to secure those ends (I didn't in all of them, and you can tell).

If you're not happy with the length - sometimes it's hard to tell how much room the beads will take up - then frog it and go back - it's good practice!