There is no one way to make a strap. Just experiment until you find a style (or 2) that you like. I enjoying using amulet hooks on my straps in order to allow them to be worn separately as necklaces. For this project, I wanted to include a variety of beads such as pearls, Czech clear and pink crystals, size 6 Czech beads, tear drops, square rose quarts beads, and seed beads, so I didn’t do any fancy stitch work on my strap.

To make a strap similar to mine, you’ll need:

approx. 2 yards of thread (silamide or nymo)
your choice of beads
needle
scissors
amulet hooks

1. Cut off about 2 yards of thread and attach a needle.

2. Pull the thread through the needle so it is doubled.

3. String on 12-15 seed beads (depending on their size) and push them down to about 6 in. from the bottom.

4. Pass the needle through your beads starting from the first bead you strung to the last bead added making sure you also pass through an amulet hook. Pull snug so you create a loop.

5. Go through all the beads again to make it stronger.

6. Tie an over hand knot using the tail and strap thread. the tail will be woven into the strap later.

7. Now start stringing your beads in a design that you like. You’ll notice for mine, I used seed beads that were also used in the bag and interspersed accent beads every few inches.

8. Continue stringing your beads, but be aware of the following:

This can also be worn as a necklace, so you want the design to be continuous.

If you have beads that have a top and bottom to them (like the tear drops I used) keep in mind that when the strap becomes a necklace, it will be turned up side down.

9. Once all your beads are in the design you like, finish the end just as you did with the first loop on the strap in steps 3-5.

10. Thread a needle onto the tails you have and thread them back up into the strap.

Your strap can now be hooked onto the loops on either side of your amulet. Now it's time to add fringe to complete this project - finally!

Sign up for the weekly Jewelry Making Newsletter and
find out about new additions to this site each week.

Subscribe to the Newsletter
Name	Email

Chat with other jewelry makers in our chat room.