I picked up this huge lampworked glass lentil bead at a bead show last October. It was made by glass artist Ann Conlin.  We’re often so impressed with these large focal beads, but then it can be a dilemma what to do with them.

In the video I give you several ideas and then show how to put together these multiple strands with bead caps.

So don’t be intimidated by the giant focals, they can make quite a statement!

Enjoy the video and happy creating. 🙂

You can watch the Art Glass Lentil Necklace Video Tutorial over at YouTube.

Materials:

• 37mm diameter lentil shaped glass art bead
• 15-inches each of seven strands of beads
• 7 20-inch lengths of bead stringing wire
• crimp beads
• 2 bead caps
• 2 eye pins
• 2 4-inch lengths of chain
• lobster clasp
• jump ring

Tools:

• wire cutters
• round nose pliers
• chain nose pliers
• crimping pliers or  the One Step Crimper
• Bead Stoppers

1. String 7 1/2-inches of beads onto each piece of stringing wire.
2. Finish one end of each wire with a crimp and a small loop of wire, trimming off excess wire. Open loop of an eye pin and place all wire loops into it. Close loop securely and slide on a bead cap to cover.
3. Use chain nose pliers to grasp wire just at point where it exits bead cap.  Bend wire at 90° angle.  Grasp bend with round nose pliers and wrap wire around pliers as far as possible to start to make a loop.  Reposition pliers to finish loop.  Slightly twist loop open and insert end link of one of the pieces of chain. Close loop and hold with chain nose pliers. Use another pair of chain nose to wrap remaining wire around wire below 90° bend. Use wire cutters to trim, if necessary. Use chain nose pliers to tuck in end.
4. Gather all wires together and slide through art glass bead.
5. String remaining 7 1/2 inches of beads onto each wire and repeat steps 2 and 3 to finish other end.
6. Add a lobster clasp to one chain and a jump ring to the other to complete your necklace.

Like my tutorials? Support me on Patreon for weekly peeks into my creative process and a bonus video every month!