How to Make a Beaded Bracelet With Pearls & Crystals

Pearl and crystals beads make an eye-catching bracelet.

Pearl and crystal jewelry is a staple for any wardrobe. You can wear pearl and crystal beaded bracelets with both casual and formal attire. Pearl and crystal beads come in many colors, so you can design a bracelet to match anything in your wardrobe. You can make basic bracelets that consist of a simple string of beads or you can add a little flare to the bracelet with crystal charms.

Things You'll Need

• Bead board
• Pearl beads
• Crystal beads
• Spacer beads
• Crystal charms, optional
• Clasp
• Beading wire, about 12 to 14 inches
• Ruler
• Wire cutters
• 2 crimp beads
• Crimping pliers

Instructions

1. Lay the beads on the bead board to plan your design. The bead board has marks to indicate the length of the bracelet so you can plan the exact design you start stringing the beads. Place spacer beads between the pearl and crystal beads to provide flexibility in the bracelet. If you plan to use charms, space them out evenly along the bead board between the crystal and pearl beads.

2. Cut the bead wire to the necessary length for your bracelet. Generally, you should cut a piece five inches longer than the bracelet you want to make. The extra length allows room to hold and manipulate the wire as you string the beads. Adjust your measurements as necessary.

3. Attach one side of the clasp to the beading wire by inserting one end of the wire through a crimp bead, looping the wire through the loop or jump ring of the clasp, and then feeding the wire back through the crimp bead. One end of the wire should be much shorter than the other. Crush the bead with the crimping pliers as close to the clasp as possible, and trim the short end of the wire with wire cutters.

4. String the pearl and crystal beads, spacer beads and crystal charms onto the wire in the order from the board. As you place the beads, bend the bracelet to make sure the spacer beads provide enough flexibility between the pearls and crystals. If the bracelet is too stiff to bend into a circle, add more spacer beads between each crystal and pearl.

5. Secure the second half of the clasp to the open end of the bracelet. The end of the wire should feed through the crimp bead, through the loop or jump ring on the clasp and back through the crimp bead. Pull the bracelet tight so all the beads are touching before you press the crimp bead. Once you crimp the bead in place, trim the excess wire and hide the cut edges of the wires among the beads at both ends of the bracelet.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a stretch bracelet using the same beads by stringing them on elastic jewelry cord. When you finish stringing the beads, tie a small knot in the elastic to secure the bracelet.

• You can use any type of clasp you prefer such as toggle, screw, S-hook, lobster claw, or hook and eye.

References

• Craftideas.com: How to Make a Beaded Bracelet
• Making Designer Gemstone & Pearl Jewelry; Tammy Powley