How to Make Bracelets & Necklaces Using Tigertail
Tigertail is a brand name of beading wire made of fine woven steel covered in nylon. Tigertail is available in a wide range of colors and can be used to create durable but comfortable jewelry pieces. Use Tigertail in place of string for a longer lasting friendship bracelet. Or use clear Tigertail to create an illusion necklace, where the beads seem to be floating around the neckline.
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Things You'll Need
- Friendship Bracelet:
- 7 inches of Tigertail, three different colors for a total of 21 inches
- Tape
- Scissors
- Illusion Bracelet:
- Scissors
- 22 inches of clear Tigertail
- 2 crimp ends
- Clasp
- Pliers
- Decorative beads
- Crimp beads
Instructions
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Friendship Bracelet
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1
Lay out three 7-inch strands of Tigertail so that they're vertically parallel. Gather the strings at one end and use them as if one strand to form a knot about a half an inch from the end.
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2
Tape the strands above the knot to stabilize the bracelet while braiding. Braid by crossing the left strand over the middle, then the right strand over the middle. Repeat, tightening up the braid as you go, until you reach a point about three-quarters inch from the end. Tie a knot with the remaining string, creating the knot right where the braid ends.
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3
Affix the bracelet by looping it around the wrist of the recipient. Find a fit that's tight but not uncomfortable. Tie a knot using the loose strands on both ends. Trim off the excess strands with scissors.
Illusion Necklace
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4
Cut a 22-inch strand of clear Tigertail off the spool. Lay the segment out flat on the table. Slide a crimp end onto one end of the cord. Slip the part of the cord above the crimp end through the loop at the bottom of one half of the closure. Circle back with the cord and tuck it into the crimp end. Use pliers to clamp the crimp end onto the cord.
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5
Arrange your decorative beads on the table according to how you want them to appear on the necklace. Note that an illusion necklace should have large parts of the cord bare to make it seem as if the beads are floating. String your beads onto the cording, flanking each section of bead designs with a pair of crimp beads.
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6
Use the pliers to clamp the crimp beads into place, which keeps the beads from sliding around on the necklace. Use the crimp end technique described in Step 1 to attach the other half of the clasp.
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