DIY Beaded Beach Stone Necklace: Turn a Beach Find into Wearable Jewelry

If you've ever picked up a stone or shell on the beach because it had a natural hole worn through it, this tutorial is exactly what you need. I'll show you how to make a beaded beach stone necklace, turning a found treasure into a finished piece of jewelry using nothing but seed beads and simple stringing techniques.

This is a lovely project if you've got a little collection of beach finds sitting in a drawer, wondering what to do with them.

Why Naturally Holed Stones Are Perfect for This

Every so often, if you're lucky, you'll find a stone or shell at the beach that already has a hole worn through it by years of water and sand. These little natural treasures are perfect for jewelry making, because there's no drilling required. All you need to do is thread it, and this tutorial shows you exactly how to build a beautiful beaded necklace around it.

Because every stone or shell you find will be a slightly different size and shape, this project also teaches you to adapt your design in response to what you've actually collected, rather than following a rigid, fixed pattern. That's part of what makes each finished necklace so special. No two will ever be exactly the same.

Why This Is a Great Project

• Turns a found object into jewelry — no drilling, gluing, or special tools required, just a stone or shell with a natural hole.
• A meaningful keepsake — there's something special about wearing a piece of jewelry made from something you found yourself, maybe on a memorable trip or walk.
• Beginner-friendly stringing — this project focuses on straightforward beading techniques, making it accessible even if you're newer to jewelry making.
• Completely one-of-a-kind — since every stone is different, your finished necklace will be entirely unique to you.

What You'll Need

(Adjust this to match your exact supply list from the video.)

• A stone, shell, or beach find with a natural hole worn through it
• Seed beads in your chosen colors
• Beading needle (size 10 or 12, if applicable to your stringing method)
• Beading thread or cord
• Clasp and jump rings, or a simple closure of your choice
• Scissors or thread snips

What to Expect in the Tutorial

This tutorial walks through the process of turning a beach find into a finished necklace, including:

• How to thread and secure your stone or shell as the centerpiece
• Tips for building out a beaded strand that complements your particular find
• Ideas for spacing and pattern, whether you want a simple strand or something more detailed
• How to finish and close your necklace so it's ready to wear

By the end, you'll have a genuinely one-of-a-kind necklace, and a simple technique you can reuse any time you come home from the beach with a new little treasure.

Ready to Try It?

Dig out that stone or shell you've been saving, grab some seed beads, and let's turn it into something you can wear. This is a lovely project for anyone who loves the idea of jewelry with a story behind it.

👉 Watch "Beaded Summer Necklace Made with Beach Stones" on YouTube

Looking for more ways to build your beading skills? Check out the free beading pattern downloads page, or browse the full shop for more designs. And if you'd like exclusive monthly tutorials and patterns, come join Bead Camp!

If you make a necklace using this tutorial, I'd love to see it — tag me or drop a photo in the comments. Happy beading!

~ Darcy