Easy jewelry making with beads tutorial for making your own beaded Buddha necklace. This necklace features a carved wood Buddha pendant, faceted labradorite beads, and amazonite beads. The techniques used in making this necklace are from the jewelry making pendants and making bead jewelry page.

Jewelry Making with Beads Inspiration

OK. So by now you have probably picked up the fact that I practically live at bead shows. They are just so fun you know, and why else would I have started a business if not for the fact I am at times an insane shopaholic (uh did I just admit that in public?)

So anyway, you probably also noticed that I have a thing for carved pendants, and try to include it any way I can with in my work. This necklace, of course was no exception.

Letting the Materials Speak

There were actually several different sizes of Buddha pendants available, and of course, I bought practically all of them! Having spent the first 5 years of my life growing up in Bangkok, Thailand, I have a bit of a fascination and fondness for Buddha.

I tend to design based on what the materials tell me to do, so sometimes I put things away in my "hold" drawer(s) to think about different jewelry making ideas before committing to making something.

This Buddha pendant went into the "hold" drawer for a few months before I had my "Aha" moment.

One day, while sipping tea, I came across this quote from Buddha:
A Message from Buddha

"In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true." ~Buddha

You know those moments when your brain starts racing with ideas faster than your physical body can move into action? It was one of those moments.

Labradorite, a semi transparent grey stone, had often reminded me of dark stormy skies that tried to block out the cheery sun and blue skies. Fortunately, storm clouds never win, and eventually the sky and happy sun return. At first, you see little peeks and glimmers of hope, and then the light just comes pouring in.

I knew exactly how I would approach jewelry making with beads for this pendant necklace.

Tools, Beads, & Findings

The jewelry making materials used in this beaded necklace are:
- strand of 5 X 7mm faceted labradorite beads: $12.00
- 1 carved Buddha bead: $6
- 32 3mm round amazonite beads: $1.00
- 1 3 inch sterling silver head pin: $.50
- 3 3mm sterling silver balls: $.45
- 3 6mm Bali bead caps: $1.60
- 1 sterling silver filigree clasp: $5.00
- 20 inches 49 strand .014mm stringing wire: $1.00
- 3 2 X 2mm crimp beads:$.42
- 1 1 X 2mm crimp beads: $.08
Tools for making this necklace: round nose pliers, chain nosed pliers, and crimping tool.

Jewelry Making with Beads Tutorial

Jewelry Making Pendants

Take your 3 inch head pin and string the following beads on: 1 X 2 crimp, 4mm flower spacer, Buddha pendant, 6mm bead cap, and 3mm ball.

Make a small loop, about 1/8 inches in diameter and wrap around the core as show in the making pendants tutorial.
Start Stringing Beads!

Starting in the middle, transition out of the wrapped loop by using a 3mm ball and 6mm bead cap.

More Beads

Then, alternate between the faceted labradorite beads and amazonite beads to desired length. Repeat on the other side.
Finishing your Necklace

When you are read to finish your necklace with the filigree clasp, make sure you lay out your necklace in a circular pattern first, so that you have enough ease built in for the beads to move.

Use your crimping pliers for a professional, clean finish.

Pricing Handmade Jewelry

Finished with the jewelry making with beads tutorial? How about taking a look at how to price your handmade jewelry?

We'll be approaching this in two steps: wholesale price, THEN retail price.

Cost of Materials

Total cost of Jewelry Making Materials: $28.05

Cost of Labor or Build Time

Labor: 8 minutes @ $1 per minute = $8.00

Total Labor: $8.00

Wholesale Pricing Formula

So using the wholesale pricing formula:

1.15 X (Materials + Build Time + EDF + GP) + Profit

Wholesale Price =1.15 X ($28.05 + $8.00 + 0 + 0) + $6.00

I'm setting the profit for making this beaded necklace at $6.00.

Wholesale price =: 32.26 + $6.oo = $38.26

Rounding down, our wholesale price is $38.00
Retail Pricing Formula

Retail prices will vary, depending on retailer. Here are some examples of the price points you would find this beaded necklace at in retail outlets:

At retail, this beaded necklace would go for: $83-$95.00

Higher end retailers will sell for: $152-$190.00

Achieving the Right Price Point

Perhaps, in your local market, you may not be able to retail this necklace at $83.00. Here are some things you can do to make your jewelry making with beads adventure a success!
- Use smooth labradorite beads instead of faceted beads.
- Use labradorite chip beads.
- Change from a filigree clasp to a spring ring clasp.
- Carve your own Buddha pendant (though this might ending up costing you more because of your time, depends how much you are paying yourself).