Another
quick project to make a handsome bead bracelet with a dangle! But don't think
that it has to be fish! Any large focal bead works well - but flattish beads
that lay nicely on the wrist are especially comfortable. Archived Projects:
Stretchy Ring
Another
quick project to make a handsome bead bracelet with a dangle! But don't think
that it has to be fish! Any large focal bead works well - but flattish beads
that lay nicely on the wrist are especially comfortable. Skill Level: Easy
Time to Make: under an hour
Supplies you will need:
This charming bracelet displays handmade lampwork beads accented with sterling silver spacers, and round glass beads, (called “druks”) using bead stringing wire.
If you have purchased a toggle clasp that keeps the two halves together with a jump ring, you will first have to separate the two halves of the toggle by opening the jump ring. To open the jump ring: use 2 pairs of pliers, one in each hand, and grasp the jump ring on either side of the opening in it, and twist left and right to open. Separate the toggle parts and reclose the jump ring by twisting back. Never pull apart a jump ring to open it, it will bend out of shape and not close properly again.
Attach one half of the toggle to the jewelry wire using a crimp bead or by knotting.
There are different brands of non-stretchy cables made especially for making jewelry. They are strong, light, and resist wear. You can knot some of them, or fasten them to themselves with a crimp bead.
To use a crimp bead,
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Use a pair of crimp pliers or chain nose pliers to securely crush the crimp bead and fasten the end. It is important to crimp the bead so that there is an indent between the two pieces of cable.
To use crimp pliers, use the second hole (use it first) to crush the crimp bead and put in the indent. The first hole (using this is optional) folds the bead around itself for a neat finish.
To use the chain nose pliers, start by threading the cable in the same way. Use the chain nose pliers to firmly squash the crimp bead. Then, using round nose pliers, turn the pliers to lengthwise (with the cable,) and squash an indent between the two pieces of cable. Squash hard.
Now you have one half of the clasp attached. Next, thread:
Repeat until you have threaded 8 fish. Check the length. If you have small wrists, you may wish to remove a fish. Then end with
Add the crimp bead, and Add the other half of the clasp, thread the cable back through the crimp bead. Snug the cable up tight.
Secure the crimp bead in the same way as you did at the beginning.
The dangle helps to keep the clasp weighted down and under your wrist, instead of always being the lightest part of the bracelet and rotating to the top.
To create the dangle by the clasp, add
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Finish with a crimp bead. Poke the end of the cable back up through the beads, and cut off any excess.
This simple bracelet can be adapted to lots of other bead combinations. Remember, the average bracelet is about 7 inches long - but adjust it for your own particular wrists, be they smaller or larger.
Copyright 2002, 2003 Dwyn Tomlinson, All Rights Reserved. Used with permission by the Beading Times.
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* Contact dwyn@beadingtimes.com if you wish to submit a beading project for publication in The Beading Times. Dwyn Tomlinson is a freelance bead kit designer who has worked on an international level. Contact her directly at dwyn@beadingtimes.com if you wish to have bead kits designed for your own business. Want to make your own kits but don't know how to write the instructions? Once again, Dwyn can help you!