How to Make Magnetic Bracelets

Magnetic bracelets are not only attractive but therapeutic. Many people claim just wearing them helps relieve everything from arthritic and muscle pain, to stress and headaches. You can pay as high as fifty dollars for a therapeutic bracelet, or make a homemade one for only a fraction of the cost.

Things You'll Need

• Small triangular magnet
• Vice grips (locking pliers)
• Metal tablespoon
• Cloth tote bag
• Magnetic beads
• Measuring tape
• Beading thread

Instructions

1. Decide on a magnet. Do you want to cut your own beads from a magnet or use magnetic beads? To break off small pieces, use a small triangular magnet, found in hobby stores, as seen on a YouTube video (see resources). If you use magnetic beads, they have centered holes for easy threading. Usually, the two poles face each other with a positive pole on one side and a negative pole on the other, ensuring natural spacing. For 100 beads, you pay only about twelve dollars. They come in gold, black or silver and can be strung with beading thread.

2. 

   Measure your wrist circumference. Using a tape measure, find the circumference of your wrist, determining the amount of beads and length of beading thread you will need. A small triangular magnet can be cut into pieces with pliers, rendering enough tiny magnets to fit around the average wrist. After determining the measurements, draw a line the length of your wrist circumference and assemble magnetic beads on a piece of paper. Count the number of beads required for a bracelet.

3. 

   Cut the magnet pieces. Use pliers (vice grips) and a tote bag to protect eyes and skin from flying magnet fragments. With your pliers inside the bag, but fingers on the outside, cut the pieces. If you're using magnetic beads, there's no cutting.

4. Collect the pieces. To make the job easier, use a metal tablespoon. Dip it into the magnet-filled tote bag and let it do the work of collecting your magnet pieces. Because each little magnetic piece is strong enough to hold adjourning pieces, there's no need to glue.

5. Snap the magnets or string the magnetic beads together, then try on your new bracelet.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint tiny magnets with craft paint on paper plates. Just make sure to space them far enough apart so they won't snap together. Paint one side, and, after it's thoroughly dry, turn it over and paint the other side; this adds beauty to the bracelet. Cut the pieces first before painting to avoid any chipping.

• If using vise grips, adjust for best leverage.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• How Do Magnetic Bracelets Work?
• You Tube - Make Your Own Magnetic Bracelet
• Magnetic Beads