How to Make a Beaded Bracelet

If you like arts and crafts you should definitely try making your own beaded bracelets. It's fun and can get your creative juices flowing. If you develop a skill for it you might be able to sell them to people. Fashion either a wrist or ankle bracelet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jewelry Clasps
• Beading Threads
• Flat Work Surfaces
• Beads
• Bead Tips
• Glues
• Scissors
• Towels
• Measuring Tape
• Flat-nose Pliers
• Long Straight Pins

1. 

   Choose a length for your bracelet and purchase that much beading thread (plus a few extra inches). A standard wrist bracelet length is approximately 7 inches. Add two or three inches to the length for an ankle bracelet.

2. 

   Choose beads for your bracelet. They can be all one size or varying sizes. Choose spacer beads (the small beads that go in between the larger beads) as well.

3. Choose findings for your bracelet. You will need a clasp and two bead tips. The bead tips are used to secure the ends of your bracelet so that the clasp can be attached.

4. 

   Lay out your beads on a towel placed on a flat work surface. Take this opportunity to determine the order in which your beads will be strung. A little planning now will save you a lot of frustration later!

5. 

   Knot a thread end and use scissors to trim off the excess thread. The knot should be at the very end of the thread.

6. 

   Push the unknotted end of your thread through one open end of the bead tip and thread the end through the hole. Pull the thread all the way through so that the knot you made rests inside the bead tip and firmly against the hole.

7. 

   Place a small amount of craft glue onto the knot and allow it to dry. Use a pair of flat-nose pliers to close the bead tip.

8. 

   String your beads. Thread on the other bead tip so that the open end of the tip faces away from the strung beads.

9. 

   Tie a loose knot in the remaining thread end and use a long, straight pin to push the knot down into the open end of the bead tip. The knot should rest securely against the hole. Trim the excess thread and use pliers to close the bead tip.

10. Affix one clasp piece onto one bead tip hook so that the loops at the end of each are joined. Use the pliers to securely close one ring over another. Repeat with the remaining clasp piece at the other end of the bracelet.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure your wrist or ankle with a tape measure to determine the most comfortable length for your bracelet.
• Look through online and print jewelry catalogs and jewelry shops to get ideas for the type of beads you want and possible color schemes.
• Shop at thrift stores or garage sales to find inexpensive beads. Often you can find necklaces and other jewelry items that contain beads you like. Simply cut the threads of the existing necklace or bracelet and remove the beads to use in your own project.
• Look for bead tips under the name "clam shells" or "oyster shells." They are called this because of their shape.
• Use a double strand of beading thread for extra strength.

[eggerist]

on 3/24/2009 good write

[diannamurray]

on 12/7/2008 I am having problems with the bracelets I've been making lately. The wire is breaking at the crimp and the clasp. This has happened several times and I've never had this problem until recently. I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. Any suggestions?? Dianna M.

[diannamurray]

on 12/7/2008 I'm having trouble with my bracelets I am making, they are breaking at the crimp bead and the clasp. I am using accuflex 49 strand I've never had this problem until recently. Thanks Dianna Murray

on 7/6/2006 If you are making a present, always make it bigger so they can adjust it to the size they need. You won't have to give away the surprise by asking what size they need.

on 3/16/2006 If you invest in a few very nice beads (these can be purchased at most craft stores) and use a lot of small filler beads, you have a professional looking bracelet.