DIY Painted Wood Bead Necklace - Handmade in the Heartland

When i was creating all the jewelry for last week’s segment on fox4 this wood bead necklace gave me the biggest surprise. It was super easy and it almost beat out the nautical knot necklace as my favorite, i think they might be tied for the favorite spot actually. I love the way it turned out. When i was picking out the paint colors i tried to use the forecasted spring pantone colors and after standing in front of the craft paint for like 40 minutes i really started to wish pantone just made paint so i didn’t have to debate over which shade of green looked most like “hemlock”. i digress… So this week’s make it monday is simple, easy, wearable and cute- you can totally make this wood bead necklace in less than an hour, i promise!

Here is what you’ll need:

faux suede or leather cord

craft paint

paint brush

wood beads in different sizes

2 jump rings

lobster or magnetic clasp

jewelry pliers

painters tape

1-2. Using painters tape cover half of the wooden beads that you want to use. have enough tape hanging off the end of the bead to create a little “handle” and give you an easy area to hold on to the bead while you paint. This was especially helpful on the small beads where your fingers really get in the way if you have to hold on to just the bead while you paint.

3. Paint your beads. You really just need a light coat. If you put too much paint on it will bleed through the tape and your line will not be crisp.

4. I used 5 different colors and painted two beads each.

5. To attach the clasp you will want to first put the jump rings on either end of your clasp using your jewelry pliers. If you need help with basic jewelry making refer to THIS post.

6. After you have jump rings attached to both ends of the clasp, slide the end of your suede through one end and then tie a tight now. Before you do the other end you’ll be sliding your beads on.

7. Pull your knot super tight.

8. Slide your beads on in the order you want them. I placed the painted ends of each bead in the same color facing each other, as you can see in the finished picture above.

9. Once all your beads are on, attach the end of the suede to the other side of the clasp with a knot, like you did for the first side.

10. Using scissors trim the excess suede on the end of the knots.

11. Your done! Enjoy your cute necklace 🙂