Making a Continuous Necklace

I don't think I've ever posted a picture of this beaded necklace before and it's one of my favorites! I like the combination of shapes and textures and it always gets lots of compliments. For this version, I used Bead Gallery beads from Michaels with velour tubing and Beadalon 19, but you could use any of your favorite beads that look good together.

Continuous necklaces are easy to make. The beading wire ends pass through opposite sides of the last beaded unit and are crimped in place. I like to use two crimp tubes for extra security, so the end my necklace looks like this: crimp tube, last beaded section, crimp tube. It's super long, so you can wear it a lot of different ways: wrapped around the neck once, doubled and clipped together, or hanging straight down.

If I ever write a book with jewelry designs that I wear all the time, this piece will have to be in it. I made it a few years ago and it has been on heavy rotation ever since. I even grabbed it out of my jewelry drawer at the last minute before filming the latest season Beads, Baubles & Jewels and wore it on the show!