WOVEN CRYSTAL BRACELET

DIRECTIONS 

Swarovski Crystals

  1. •6MM - mocca

  2. •4MM clear

• clear seed beads

• Pearls  6MM - dusty rose

• 4MM clear crystals

• clear & pink seed beads

• Glass beads  8 MM - red with gold caps on top and bottom

  1. •Glass seed beads - gold


The bracelets pictured above were all made with the same instructions with the following exceptions:  the red bracelet used 13 seed beads on each side and the 4mm bead was eliminated.

Thread a big eye needle with 3 yards of thread.  Put the needle through two 6MM beads.  Pull through leaving a 10” tail.  With painter’s tape, secure the tail to the work surface.  Two beads are added to the thread for the first step only.  Steps that follow only require the addition of one 6MM bead at a time.

Thread on 5 seed beads, a 4MM bead, then 5 more seed beads.  Put  the needle through the two 6MM beads working from right to left ...

Red arrows indicate the direction of the needle.

... and pull through creating a border of beads on the bottom side of the 6MM beads.  The needle will always go into the 6MM beads from the same direction, right to left.

Once again, thread on 5 seed beads, a 4MM bead, then 5 more seed beads.  Put the needle through the two 6MM beads...

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

... and pull through creating a border on the top side of the 6MM beads.  You now have one set finished.

Thread the needle through one 6MM bead.

Once again, thread on 5 seed beads, a 4MM bead, then 5 more seed beads.  Put the needle through two 6MM beads.  Pull through.  Complete the second set by adding 5 seed beads, a 4MM bead and 5 more seed beads.  Again, put the needle through two 6MM beads and pull through.  You now have two complete sets.  You will add one 6MM bead and continue to work the rest of your bracelet in the same way.

To finish this side of the bracelet, string on one more seed bead.

10

Add one half of the clasp of your choice, then bring the needle back through the seed bead and up through the next two 6MM beads.

Pull the thread taut, then loop the thread under the joint between the second and third bead to begin a loose knot.

11

Push the needle through the loop and pull to secure the knot which should be hidden between the two 6MM beads.  Finish by either: 1) taking the needle through more sets of 6MM beads, creating 2 - 3 more knots, or  2) you can take the needle back through the end beads, through the clasp and back up through the beads before knotting again.  It’s a personal choice.  The second option will create a double hold on the clasp.  Cut off the excess thread with nippers or sharp pointed scissors.  Finish the other end of the bracelet following steps eight through eleven.

Unlike regular needles, big eye beading needles are flexible and have an eye in the center.  They also have two pointy ends so if one becomes bent after repeated use, you can use the other end.  The flexibility allows you to wedge the point of the needle between close beads. They often come 4 to a package.

There's a right and wrong side to this bracelet which may not be apparent at first but it will become clearer as you work.  That's why it's a good idea to tape down the first  3 or 4 sets when they are done.  Taping them down will prevent you from accidentally flipping the bracelet to the other side as you work.

TIPS & SHORTCUTS

download instructions

One of the hottest jewelry trends right now is anything with chocolate diamonds.  Not many of us can afford real diamonds in this economy but this shimmering bracelet comes close to the glimmer and quality of real chocolate diamonds.

I got the free video instructions for this beautiful woven piece from the generous people at Auntie’s Beads.  You can too, with this link:

On the home page at Auntie’s Beads, search for “flat spiral stitch video”.  Two videos will be listed.  The “2nd row” is a project to attempt after you’ve learned to create a single row bracelet.  Karla Schafer, the video instructor, provides clear instructions and mentions that this may be her favorite design.  Now it’s mine too!

I wanted to create instructions here in print for those who work better with written steps.  My instructions aren’t very different than Karla’s but I’m adding a few tips, and showing how different the bracelet can look with four types of beads.   

BEADOLOGY

SIZES

SHAPES

TIPS

All things bead related

JEWELRY MAKING

TECHNIQUES &

TOOLS

See More Bracelets Using This Technique  At The Bottom of the Page

SCROLL DOWN TO “FEEDBACK” TO SEE PROJECTS CREATED BY READERS

- JEWELRY -

This solid color version of the woven bracelet is made with all the beads in the same color - midnight blue.  It’s dazzlingly stunning!  Light just bounces off all the cuts in the roundelles (a slightly flattened round bead).  I used regular 11/0 seed beads with 4 and 6mm roundelle beads. 

MORE BRACELETS & NECKLACE

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