How to Make Bracelets Using Seed Beads

Seed bead bracelets

Create a pretty seed bead bracelet with multiple strands of tiny colorful beads. Since these beads are so small, 10 or more strands are needed to make a stunning bracelet. Mix and match colors or select shades of beads specifically to wear with a special outfit. Bracelets range from 7 inches to 8 inches to comfortably fit a wrist and are secured with a toggle clasp.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Seed beads
• Jewelry work tray
• Thin jewelry wire
• Wire cutter
• Jewelry pliers
• Medium toggle clasp
• Crimper

Instructions

1. Measure the size of a bracelet around your wrist with a measuring tape. A bracelet should be comfortably loose, but not fall off your wrist. Common sizes are 7 inches, 7 1/2 inches and 8-inches. Another option is to measure a favorite bracelet for size.

2. Collect the supply of seed beads (usually sold by strands on thread) and lay them side by side on the jewelry work tray.

3. Cut strands of jewelry wire with wire cutters, 3 inches longer than the size of the bracelet. Cut as many pieces of wire as necessary to create the number of strands for the seed bead bracelet.

4. Using the end of each wire piece as a needle, slip each seed bead onto the wire carefully. This takes a bit of time and patience since the beads are so small. Lay each beaded wire aside and continue beading the other wires until they are all completed.

5. With jewelry plliers, bend one end of each wire about 1 1/2 inches so the beads do not fall off. Bend the other end of the seed beaded wire with jewelry pliers around one of the toggle clasp loops and wind the wire around itself a few times to secure. Cut the excess off with wire cutters and use the crimper to flatten any sharp edges.

6. Slip the other end of the seed beaded wire (bent earlier 1 1/2-inches) through the second part of the toggle clasp loop and wind it around itself a few times, as in Step 5. Cut any excess wire off with the wire cutter and flatten any sharp points with a crimper. Proceed the same way with all the beaded wire strands and attach them to the toggle clasps until completed.

Tips & Warnings

• Jewelry work trays are available at craft stores; however, a flat tray with a piece of fabric, such as velvet, on top that will keep beads from rolling off will work well. A crimper is a small jewelry tool that is used to flatten wire where needed. Since so many strands of seed beaded wire is needed to create a beautiful bracelet, the beading of each wire can be done over a period of time, if desired.