How to Make a Bead Bracelet

If you are like me, you love jewelry. But it can be tough to find that perfect bracelet or necklace to go with that perfect outfit. It can also cost a lot of money to flank your wardrobe with various matching wrist ornaments. And in this day and age, when money is tight, we need all the savings we can get. So here are a few simple steps to help you craft your own bracelet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Beads
• Beading wire or thread
• Bead tips and clasps (AKA hooks)
• Beads (you choose the material and color)
• Glue
• Needle nose pliers

Be Creative and Bead!

1. 

   Pick your beads. This is the fun part. Whether at a swap meat, a garage sale, a fabric store, or through an ad on craigslist.org, you can find all different shapes, sizes, materials (wood, glass, plastic, ceramic, clay, etc.), and colors.

2. Pick an outfit for starters, to help choose your beads, and try to match the colors or tones of the outfit. This will help narrow your search and prevent you from buying more beads than you need. The money spent can add up quickly if you do not set a budget or discipline your buying habit.

3. 

   Obtain the appropriate supplies. Again, the wire or thread, and clasps can be purchased at any fabric store or fabric section of a store.

4. 

   Find a flat surface to work on like the kitchen table, if you do not have a beading board. Although my recommendation is to pay the few bucks for a board, especially if you want to continue to bead. It will help you organize your beads and keep them from falling off the wire as you work.

5. 

   Measure around your wrist and cut a comparable line of thread, or cut it equal to the length of another bracelet you own. Remember, it is much easier to eliminate extra in the end than find you made it to short.

6. 

   Tie a knot at the end of the thread, or pinch the wire up. Tie two knots if necessary.

7. 

   Slide the bead tip over the end and make sure it fits snugly over the knot (you can add a drop of glue here to secure it, if desired) and pinch the bead tip closed with your pliers.

8. Slide the beads (all one size and color or different sizes and colors) on one at a time in any pattern you like. Be creative. This is where a bead board can help, allowing you to try out several different patterns before committing them onto the thread. You can also do that on the table.

9. 

   Slide the final bead tip onto the thread and tie another knot, making sure it gets pushed down so it is snug up against the bead tip, then pinch that tip closed with your pliers again.

10. 

    Attach your clasp to one of the bead tips and tighten them together with your pliers.

11. Wear it and bask in the compliments you received.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, mix up the size of the beads you use. Even if they are all the same color, different sizes will go a long way to making your jewlery look store-bought.
• Do not overload your thread with heavy beads. If your beads are heavy, make sure you use a heavier thread or wire.