As promised, here’s a bit more detail about how to make the delicate version of the chunky half chain/half bead bracelet I shared yesterday. I made a couple of different bracelets with various beads, but the one I’ll focus on here is made with purple dyed pearls and contrast silk bead cord.
(The blue beads are polished glass, the large green beads are amazonite, and I don’t know what the light green beads are made of, other than that they’re not plastic.)
Materials:
Chain
Small beads or stones
Scissors
Glue
Clasp
Jump rings
Beading cord (I used 2mm silk)
Beading needle
Sewing needle/pin
Clamshell knot cover or crimp beads
Crimping tool
Needle-nose pliers
Wirecutters
Ruler
Methods:
1. Thread a beading needle onto your thread. Attach a clasp to the end of your cord using a crimp bead and a crimping tool. If you’re not familiar with how to use these, check out this and this tutorial. Especially if you’re using something soft like pearls, tie a knot below the crimp bead to protect your beads from being scratched by the metal. Add a dab of glue or clear nail polish to the knot to secure it.
2. Begin stringing the pearls, and add a knot between each one. To do so, tie an overhand knot and pull it close to the bead you’ve just added, without tightening the loop yet. Insert a sewing needle or pin through the loop of the knot and use it to pull the knot tight against the bead. Remove the needle and tighten the knot.
3. Continue stringing beads and knotting between them until you’ve reached the desired length. I did about 4 inches, including the clasp.
4. Add a crimp bead, and loop the end of the cord around the last link in your chain. Insert the cord back through the crimp bead, pull the loop tight (but not too tight), and crimp the bead closed.
5. Knot the cord below the crimp bead, then add a dab of glue to the knot, and trim loose threads. Cut the chain to the desired length (3.5 inches for me), and add a jump ring on the end.
If you’re not using pearls or knotting between your beads, instead of cord, you can also use beading wire, like Beadalon
