10+1 ideas to bead a pendant

1. Using a ready-made pendant holder

The easiest way to turn a beaded motif into a pendant is to use a ready-made pendant holder from metal. Originally these components (and every other finding in the beading world) where not very appealing, and I did my best to avoid using them. Over the years, many new designs emerged. Some even with Cubic Zirconia inserts or with turquoise patina.

You can connect the ready-made pendant-holder (or bail) to your motif with a simple loop of 15/0 Miyuki round seed beads (read more in this article) or even create a fancy little connection between them, like I did with Veronka’s Starfish tutorial and the sparkly pendant holder that I was super happy to find and add to the Beadingschool Bead Shop.

2. Filigree as a bail for a vintage feel

I often say that filigrees can solve pretty much all your beady problems. And turning your beaded motif into a pendant is just one of them!

I attached the historic filigree to my beaded motif with a simple loop of 15/0 seed beads, and I used a bigger hole at the top to pull through the 7 mm wide silk ribbon. I like to tie a knot at the ends of the ribbon and just simply make a knot when wearing this pendant, so I can adjust the length according to what I am wearing at the moment. In fact, I tie a bow and then a know, to make sure that the smooth ribbon holds and I don’t loose my pendant!

You can watch me adding the filigree in this video. If you like this, I highly recommend grabbing a Historic filigree box (while they last!) to receive a selection of high-quality components made from historic designs in the Czech Republic!

4. Hollow shapes

like the shiny golden circle included in the ‘Flowers in the Hair’ Beadingschool Academy Box are also perfect joints between motifs and ribbons or chains!

Connect the ring (or any other hollow component) to your beaded motif with a thin Peyote-strip. I recommend using a 2 or 3 bead wide element from 11/0 Miyuki Delica, depending on your design. Afterward, you can simply pull the ribbon or chain through the shape, making the necklace adjustable, just as the combination of filigree and the ribbon above.

After adding the first pair of Miyuki Delica 11/0 seed beads in a matching colour (unfortunately, I can’t add here some general piece of advice, as this will be different for every beaded motif that you make), all you need to do is add beads pair after pair, until you have a long enough sequence that’s comfortable for the thickness of your chain and clasp. The last pair should be connected behind the very first pair that you added.

Whichever option you choose, I always recommend starting it with a new thread, after finishing and securing your main motif.

Start at the widest part, and decrease towards one end than another. This way, if you end up not liking it that much, you can put it aside for a different pendant, or even cut it down and adding a different bail to your motif when you find one that fits better.

8. Bead embroidery

A similar kind of hidden bail can be created behind a bead-embroidered jewel, too. Some of our metal components that are intended to be something else (like the leaf that was part of a clasp) are perfect for this. Make sure to check out the product page, you can even see there how the leaf is used as a decoration, so in fact it has at least three different functions – and even more when you step out of the box!

First, I removed the loop from the leaf to create a completely flat surface. I smoothened the back with sandpaper. I scratched the leather with my needle a few times, so the glue can have more ‘grip.’ Make sure to use glue that holds both kinds of materials (metal and leather) strong. E-6000, but even some cheaper alternatives from a handyman’s store work well – just make sure to test them before relying on their power with the most beautiful jewel that you’ve ever created! The ‘bail’ is completed with a simple Peyote strip connected through the stem of the vine leaf. Perfect idea for autumn, isn’t it? 🙂

10. All kinds of beads from the motif

My favourite (but also most challenging) way of creating beaded bails is by using beads that are already included in the motif. Of course, it’s easy to use Miyuki Delica like in the Peyote-bail or fire-polished beads like in the RAW-bail from Zelda, however, Miyuki Slender Bugles, Half Tila beads, Quarter Tila beads, and Preciosa bicones can also become parts of the construction.

My first beaded bail of this type was made for the Star Anise pendant, a gift tutorial that I created for the first International Beading Week (organised by the Beadworker’s Guild) that I participated in. The bail even evolved into a matching bracelet later – how cool is it? 🙂 The bail of the Star Anise pendant fits every motif with Quarter Tila and fire-polished beads – just use the same colours in both parts!

+ 1 idea: brooch and pendant in one!

While pendants and necklaces are super popular, and I’m pretty sure that all of us beaders created and wear plenty of them, sometimes it feels limiting to turn a motif only into one type of jewel. Thanks to the handy little component that is a bail and brooch base in one, you don’t have to make a decision: you can sew it on the back of your motif or insert it (partially) bellow the backing of your embroidery, and you can keep both options open. It comes in both gold and silver colour.

With brooches coming back big time (and other types of jewels being hidden behind thick coats during the colder months anyway) this is a great little component that you can add to your collection of findings!