This project started as a mask leash back in 2020, but the technique is one of the most versatile things you can learn with seed beads. The same strung lanyard works beautifully as an eyeglass chain, a badge holder, a sunglasses strap, or a phone charm. Once you know how to string seed beads on beading cable and finish the ends cleanly, you can make these for everything.
Why This Project Is Great for Beginners
This is pure stringing — no loom, no needle, no complicated stitch patterns. You thread beads onto cable wire, crimp the ends, attach your hardware, and you're done. The whole thing can be finished in an afternoon, and you'll practice the fundamental skills that every beading project builds on: working with crimps, using wire protectors, and designing a color pattern with mixed seed beads.
Fair warning — it's addictive. Once you finish one, you'll want to make five more in different color combinations.
What You Need
- Beading cable wire — .014 Soft Touch is perfect for this. Flexible enough to drape nicely, strong enough to hold up to daily use.
- Sterling silver 2x2 twist crimps — two per lanyard, one for each end
- Sterling silver cable wire protectors — these create a clean loop at each end and prevent the cable from kinking where it connects to the hardware
- Clasp and clip — a lobster clasp on one end, an alligator clip or lanyard hook on the other (or two lobster clasps — your choice depending on what you're attaching it to)
- Seed beads — this is where it gets fun. Mix sizes and shapes: 11/0 and 8/0 seed beads as your base, then throw in some 6/0 for variety, cubes, magatamas, charlottes, triangles, or even tiny 15/0 beads for texture. The more you mix, the more interesting the finished piece looks.
The Technique
- Cut about 12 inches of beading cable (adjust for your desired length plus a couple inches of working room on each end)
- Thread one end through a crimp bead, then through a wire protector, then back through the crimp. Attach your clasp or clip to the wire protector loop. Crimp it flat with your crimping pliers or chain nose pliers.
- String your seed beads in whatever pattern you like — random, color-blocked, graduated, or completely spontaneous
- Finish the other end the same way: crimp, wire protector, hardware
- Trim the excess wire close to the crimp
The secret to a professional-looking lanyard is the wire protectors. They hide the connection point and give the wire a smooth curve instead of a sharp kink. Don't skip them.
We have a YouTube tutorial that walks through the whole process if you want to see it done before you start.
Come in and we'll help you pick your seed bead colors. We carry Soft Touch cable, sterling crimps, wire protectors, and all the clasps and clips you need — plus the biggest seed bead selection on the island.