Beaded Bracelet or Necklace Project
Skill Level: Easy
The basic charm bracelet approach offers many variations for different looks.
If you have a problem printing this let me know. I will email you the file as an attachment that will print correctly.
You can make this bracelet in about an hour. I saw the idea in a bead magazine and since I had all the items needed I started it right away. The glass beads are handmade Peking glass and very “charming”. They remind me of “cheerios” cereal. Chain is really versatile and fun to use in designs. It drapes well, is flattering to everyone and comes in a wealth of patterns.
Here is a photo of the finished bracelet.
The kit for this bracelet contains:
- 12 inches of sterling open link chain (enough for a bracelet and a pair of matching earrings)
- sterling toggle clasp (plain)
- 50 assorted “cheerio” glass beads
- 50 6mm silverplated jump rings
- one pair of sterling shepherd hook earring findings
Optional addition:
Lovely hand made figure-8 shaped gem-set sterling clasp with peridot jewel, as shown in the photo.
The kit without the optional gem-set clasp is $35.00. The optional clasp is $8.00.
Also needed: 2 pair of chain nose pliers for opening & closing jump rings, and a wire cutter for separating links of the chain. These are not included in the kit.
Making the bracelet
To make this bracelet, open a jump ring, put a bead on it, and attach it to one of the links of the chain. Close the jump ring. Add sufficient beads to attain the correct length for your wrist. Attach the clasp. That’s it.
About half finished.
TIP: Grasp the jump ring on each side of its opening with pliers. Don’t pull it apart, but push one side forward and one side back, so the ring retains its original round shape when it is closed. This might require some practice! But you will certainly be an expert with jump rings when you finish, another benefit of this project.
First decide on the length of the bracelet. The optional gem set clasp is about one inch long, so this reduces the number of links on the bracelet. There are 5 links to the inch on this particular chain design. So a 6.5” bracelet has about 32 links.
The original design that I saw in the magazine had 2 or 3 beads attached to each link. In my opinion this is overkill. The bracelet looks just fine with one bead in each link. You can put 2 beads in a few of the links if you like. Or if you prefer more beads in each link, feel free to add.
The left over beads and chain are meant to make matching earrings if you like.
Once you get into the rhythm you will find this works up pretty quickly.
To attach the clasp, make sure the length is correct, then cut one of the links to remove the unused chain. Attach a jump ring to the last link and put one side of the clasp on it, close the ring, and do the same at the other end. Make sure your jump rings are tightly closed. If you are in doubt you can put a dab of krazy glue on the openings of the jump rings holding the clasp. It is a good idea to wear the bracelet around the house--as a test to make sure your jump rings are well closed.
The benefit of the gem set clasp is that it can be hooked into any link, thus making it possible to shorten the bracelet.
The design possibilities for this type of bracelet are infinite. You can use any bead as a dangle or “charm”. All you need to do is put a bead on a headpin, trim the headpin, and turn a loop. Then you can attach it with a jump ring. The gem-set clasp can be removed easily by simply opening the loops, if you want to use it with another design.
Try your own design with moonstone and blue topaz rondels for a cool elegant look, gemstone beads in carnelian and jasper for a casual design, or all silver beads with a few jet black accents!
I would love to see your versions of this project. Email me: janey@beadsbymail.com
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