Making wire necklaces hang straight

I know this is a real “newcomer” question so thank you in advance
for humoring me I hope it’s not considered out of line to ask such
questions to the group. I’m just starting out and really want to
learn.

I’ve been making chokers stringing 3 large beads on neckwire and
securing them in position, centered on the wire, where they should
hang. It seems the wire is always rotating on the neck and the
necklace never stays straight so that the beads remain centered.

Is there a trick or technique I should be using to prevent this
problem? The wire is not memory wire so I am able to shape it to a
certain degree.

Thank you again!
Warmly,
Raphael

Raphael, if you are using the wire formed into a flat circle, it
will rotate. It’s better to put a soft curve into the metal so that
the wire lay over the downward curve of the neck. This will not only
help to keep the beads centered, it will be more comfortable for the
wearer.

Marilyn Smith

Hello and welcome Raphael, Your question about keeping beads
stationary on a neckwire to avoid:

the wire is always rotating on the neck and the necklace never
stays straight so that the beads remain centered. 

Based on the design, I use three methods to hold the beads in place:

  1. Put crimp beads on either side of the beads, then crimp them to
    the wire.

  2. Another option is to flatten the neckwire enough to prevent the
    beads sliding around. This works best if the first and last beads
    in the sequence have very small holes; then, squeezing the wire with
    pliers can deform the wire enough.

3, Use chain nose pliers to put a little “s” curve in the neckwire
on each side of the beads, preventing them from sliding. Hope this
helps,

Judy in Kansas
Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
Biological and Agricultural Engineering
237 Seaton Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan KS 66506
(785) 532-2936