Illusion, Floating - The Magic of Crimp Beads!

Article by Isabel

Is it possible to make a necklace or jewelry without the strings? Of course not! But with a little magic using crimp beads you can make it appear like floating on your neck or just hanging without the strings being so noticeable. Yes, these jewelries are called Illusion or Floating necklaces. In my own term, I’d like to call it, Minimalistic Jewelries; meaning, not much will be seen hanging on your neck and they only use four basic materials to make these kinds of accessories; beading wire, beads of your choice, clasp and crimp beads, a very small finding but can do wonders in making an Illusion or Floating necklaces.

Crimp beads are tiny metal with a hole inserted onto a wire or string that can be used to fasten the ends of your accessory and securing the wire or string, especially when attaching the clasp. They are pressed using pliers to keep it in place for fastening, but sometimes they can also used as a stopper like in the case of making Illusion or Floating necklaces.

Still confused on how to make magic with crimp beads? You can learn how to use crimp beads by watching this video tutorial.

Here is a sample of what an Illusion Necklace looks like. As you can see, you do not see much but just a few beads, stringed with spaces or gaps and to prevent the beads from moving, crimp beads are placed at both ends of the beads. When wearing this type of necklace, because the crimp beads are so small, it would seem like the beads are hanging or floating on your neck. Also, because the wire is not so noticeable.

For the video tutorial of this sample of Illusion Necklace, you can visit Part 1 and Part 2. This is a design made by Karla Shafer of AuntiesBeads.com

I am not a fashion trendy gal but I think Illusion or Floating necklaces are nice to wear and would be fit with evening gowns in making a girl look classy without too much distraction from the neck up.

Now here is my own version of what I call, Minimalistic Jewelry.

I did not positioned any gaps between the beads because I wanted the beads to just freely hang at the center of the wire. Still, when wearing it, it seems that there are no strings or wire but just the beads hanging on your neck.

If you want to learn how to make magic with crimp beads, here is a video tutorial on how to make a Floating Illusion Necklace. Try it now and make some for your friends and families!

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