Project of the month: Interlacing Chain Bracelet

printable version

Materials:

• 7.5" - 8.5" chain
• Beads of your choice for a 7" bracelet
• 1 x 1ft medium beading wire (0.015mm - 0.018mm)
• 2 x crimp beads
• 1 x clasp

Tools:

Chain nose pliers or crimping pliers, wire cutter

Estimated cost: $20 - $50 (our samples)

Estimated time: 45 minutes

Step 1.

Determine the bead pattern of your bracelet. If using a toggle clasp, make sure the last two beads next to the bar side are not too big to interfere with the functioning of the clasp.

Step 2.

Secure one side of the beading wire with Bead Stopper™. String the first bead and go through the first loop of the chain.

Step 3.

String the next 2 - 3 beads, skip 1 - 2 loops and weave the beading wire back through the next loop on the chain. You will need to pull everything tight to determine if the pattern (number of beads to string before going through the chain loop and the number of loops to skip before stringing more beads) produces smooth result. You may have to play around to get it work for you.

Step 4.

Once the pattern is working, continue until the bracelet reach your desired size. Secure the ending with another Bead Stopper™ and hold the bracelet around your wrist to check, allowing enough space for the crimp beads and clasp. Add or take out beads if necessary.

Step 5.

Weave the beading wire through the last chain loop before adding the last couple of beads so the chain "stays" on the bracelet. Once you are satisfied with the bracelet, finish the bracelet with crimp beads and clasp. (Technique: stringing with beading wire.)

NOTE

In this project, a section of chain is woven into a simple stringing project. The "lacing" only works when the size of the chain loop is close to the size of the beads.

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