A348 Wooden Beads

How to Make a Painted Wooden Bead Necklace

Create a bright handmade necklace using painted wooden beads, glitter and jewellery twine. This easy project combines plain white beads with lime yellow accents and a sparkling centre bead.

The finished necklace can be customised with different paint colours, glitter shades and bead arrangements.

Project Details

• Project number: A348
• Difficulty: Easy

What You Will Need

Materials

• 7 natural wooden beads, approximately 20 mm each
• White acrylic paint
• Lime yellow acrylic paint
• Fine glitter
• Mod Podge
• 65 cm of jewellery twine

Equipment

• Paintbrush
• Protective work surface
• Skewer, spare brush handle or similar tool for holding beads

Paint the Base Coat

1. Place each wooden bead onto the end of a paintbrush handle, skewer or similar tool to make it easier to hold.
2. Paint all seven beads with white acrylic paint.
3. Rotate each bead while painting to cover the entire surface.
4. Set the beads aside until the paint is completely dry.

Add the Lime Yellow Colour

1. Select three of the painted beads.
2. Paint these beads with lime yellow acrylic paint.
3. Apply two or three coats as needed to achieve an even finish.
4. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.

Create the Glitter Bead

1. Select one of the lime yellow beads to use as the centre bead.
2. Brush an even layer of Mod Podge over the bead.
3. Sprinkle fine glitter over the wet surface until the bead is coated.
4. Allow the glitter layer to dry.
5. Apply another layer of Mod Podge over the glitter to seal it.
6. Leave the bead to dry completely.

Assemble the Necklace

1. Arrange the beads on the work surface until you are happy with the colour sequence.
2. Position the glitter bead in the centre and alternate the remaining white and lime yellow beads on either side.
3. Thread all seven beads onto the jewellery twine.
4. Bring the two ends of the twine together and tie them securely with a double knot.
5. Trim any excess twine while leaving a small tail beyond the knot.