How to Create a Chunky Beaded Watch Band (interchangeable)

Creating a one of a kind piece of jewelry is just around the corner for you. This is a simple and economical way to expand your jewelry into something truly unique. This article will teach you all that you will need to know in order to create your very own interchangeable chunky watchband

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 mm (millimeter) stretch cord for beading
• beads of your choice (can be purchased at any major craft store chain or your local bead shop)
• 4 lobster clasps
• 1-2 bead links
• Bar Watch Face

1. 
    
   lots of different choices of bands

   Pick out which beads you would like to use for your watch band. At many craft stores or walmart they will have strands of beads that would be great to use because they are cheap but already have a variety of beads on one strand.

2. Using a soft measuring tape (one for measuring yourself or fabric) measure your wrist. Add 1/2 inch to your measurement for a little extra room on your band and room for the beads. Minus 1-1 1/2 inches from your above measurement for the watch face. Now you know what your measurement is for the watch band.
   
   So here is the equation (wr=wrist measurement, wa=watch measurement)
   wr + .5 - wa = your watch band size (WBS)
   
   Take the watch band size and
   wbs *2 + 2= how much stretch elastic cord required for the watch band.

3. Cut the elastic cord the measurement figured out in step 2. You might want to add a few extra inches so that you have room to tie knots in the end.

4. 
    
   pink and green band...notice the links placement and the lobster clasps

   On a piece of felt or hand towel place your beads in the order that you would like them to be stranded. Make sure to place 1 lobster clasp at each of the 4 corners. Also notice in the picture the placement of the links. The links that I use have 2 wholes in them.

5. 
    
   notice the lobster clasps directions

   Place tape at one end of your elastic stretch cord. That way when you are beading it they will not fall off.

6. Start somewhere in the middle of the beads that are placed on your felt piece. Never start on a bead that is next to a lobster clasp. String all the beads onto your stretch elastic cord.
   
   Make sure that you don't place the lobster clasps on different ways. While stringing the beads place all the clasps up or down. That way they all face the same direction when you are done with the band.

7. after the beads are all on then place another piece of tape at the other end of the cord.
   
   Measure it on your wrist with your watch attached. If it does not fit right then remove or add beads to make it the right size.

8. After the band is the right size then tie it as tight as possible (this is where another person is helpful) in a square knot. When you tie a square know it is right over left (strings) then left over right. Put on a dab of super glue or some other glue that is equivalent. Then do one more tie (right over left).

9. Hold the knots tight for a minute or two to allow the glue to dry in place. You could also add another dab of glue for good measure.

10. 
     

    Trim the ends of the string and now you have created your own watch band