Fish Bead Bracelet
SUPPLIES:
Blue
Moon Beads:
Large Glass Bead Mix (color choice)
Mini Glass Bead Mix (color choice)
Instant Charms
Memory Wire Bracelet
#8 Jelly Cord – clear or color
Round Nose Jewelry Pliers
Wire Cutter
Tidy
Tray or dish
DIRECTIONS:
Choose a color
group for the beads. You will need the large assorted glass beads
and the mini glass bead mix in the same color group. The glass
instant charm should be in a complementary color for an accent.
The sample was made with the Summer Splash bead mix and the blue
matte fish charms.
To start,
you will need to make the Base bracelet with the memory wire. You
can make your bracelet as long as you want with several loops but
keep in mind that the memory wire does stretch out a little from
the weight of the beads. A good length is 2 to 3 loops. You
can pre-cut the bracelet length or just cut the length at the end
when you reach the desired look.
Place your Mini
Glass Bead Mix in a Tidy Tray or dish so you can see the beads in
your assortment. You can plan your design or just pick beads
randomly. Remember, part of the fun of this project is the
creating the spiraling of the beaded bracelet loops.
To start
beading your bracelet, take one end of the memory wire and use the
pliers to make a small loop. Place a tiny bead on the wire and
continue to close the loop. For your next bead, choose one with a
hole large enough to slip over both wire thicknesses. Trim excess
wire from the end if necessary. Continue stringing beads on the
memory wire in whatever pattern you like. Try and create a balance
of light and dark shades, shiny and matte beads and different
shapes. Continue beading until you reach the desired length and
number of spirals.
To finish off
the Base bracelet, make sure that the last beads have holes large
enough to thread 2 wires through. Leave about ½” of wire at the
end. Use the pliers to curl the end and add a tiny bead. Continue
curling the wire into a loop and slip the end of the wire into the
other beads to secure. Trim off excess wire if necessary. Now you
are ready to make the wrap.
To make the
Wrap, you will need the Large Glass Bead Mix and the Instant
Charms. Take the jelly cord and cut a length about 18” – 24”
long, depending on how many loops you made on the Base bracelet.
