Glass Pony Beads

No, they're not hairy beads.  Pony beads are of two kinds, the ones made of plastic or glass.  Pony beads have smooth surfaces, are slightly oval in shape, generally bigger than seed beads and smaller compared to crow beads. (typical sizes of pony beads are 5mm,  6mm, and 9mm). 

Immersed in various finishes, these beads create many different colors in transparent, opaque, marbled, or Aurora Borealis finish.  The beads, which may also come in a heart-shape available in its plastic version, create simple single strands such as bracelets and necklaces.  

To give an idea of the possible designs made from glass pony beads, this project can create a 20" necklace using glass pony beads.  The following materials are needed to make this necklace: 2 ounces of glass pony beads (choose at least two up to nine colors), 2 sterling silver crimps, 1 sterling lobster clasp, 1 sterling jumpring, 22 inches of C-Flex Beading Wire, a pair of pliers, a crimper tool, and a pair of wire cutters.

The first step is to thread the first crimp into one end of the beading wire, then string the clasp on after that.  Hold the other end of the wire and slip it back through the crimp to form a loop that secures the clasp.  Snug the loop close to the clasp so that there is about ¾" tail of beading wire left, making sure it's not larger than the crimp.  Using the crimping tool, fold the crimp so that the two strands of wire are flattened.

String one bead into the beading wire.  Pull the ¾" tail to make it longer to be able to string all the beads together.  Simply use the pliers if the beading wire is hard to pull out.  Next, cut off the tail so as to secure it on the first bead.  The glass pony beads that would follow should snugly fit against the first bead.  Continue stringing the beads into the beading wire until the length is 19 ½".  Experiment on color patterns or simply string any color variation into the wire to suit your style. 

After all the desired beads are stringed on the wire, string the second half of the sterling crimp then the jumpring on, and bend the beading wire back into the crimp to form a loop so that the jumpring is secured in it.  Same with the procedure on the other clasp, give a little space in the last bead and insert the tail of the wire into it.  The pliers will help you grip the wire better.  Next, slowly snug the crimp and the last beads to the rest of the beads while the end loop should not be small enough so that the part of the jumpring is still loose.  Lastly, use the crimper to flatten the crimp tightly to the wire then cut the tail of the wire so that it will be hidden inside the beads.    

This project should be able to give you an idea of how glass pony beads will look when made into a piece of jewelry.  You can also add a pendant or other beads to give a variation to the glass pony beads.