How to Make Layered Plastic Beaded Bracelets

Children and adults can string together a layered plastic bead bracelet.

Special magnetic bracelet clasps found at beading supply stores make creating layered plastic beaded bracelets a snap. The plastic beads are available in a variety of colors and sizes at craft stores. Making these casual and inexpensive layered bracelets would be an appropriate craft project during a sleepover birthday party or summer camp sessions for children over the age of 8. The same technique can be used to created more formal faceted beaded bracelets.

Things You'll Need

• 1 roll transparent beading wire
• Ruler
• Wire cutter
• Crimp beads, 6
• Two-part three strand magnetic clasp
• Crimping tool
• Plastic beads, 30

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of beading wire to measure 14-inches long with the wire cutter. Thread a crimp bead on the wire.

2. Thread the wire in one hole at the end of either section of the two-part magnetic clasp. Pass the wire through the crimp bead a second time and press the crimp bead firmly with the crimping tool.

3. Thread plastic beads on the wire to a length that will fit around the wrist.

4. Thread a crimp bead and the remaining part of the two-part magnetic clasp on the wire, passing the wire through the crimp bead again and tightening it with the crimp tool. Cut the excess wire with the wire cutter.

5. Repeat all steps to attach the second and third layers of the bracelet to the magnetic clasp ends. Attach the completed layered plastic beaded bracelet to your wrist by connecting the ends of the magnetic clasp. The layered bracelet will look like three layered strands of beads around your wrist.

References

• "Bead Simple"; Susan Beal; 2008
• "The Girls' World Book of Jewelry"; Rain Newcomb; 2004