How to Make Chunky Bead Bracelets

Homemade bracelets can be created in a variety of styles.

Making homemade jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, earrings and brooches can be an entertaining activity for the young and the young at heart. There are countless patterns to follow in books and beading magazines, but making up your own patterns can be just as rewarding. Jewelry can range from the refined and subtle, to bold and exciting. Making bracelets using large, chunky beads allows you to create eye-catching accessories for little money.

Difficulty:

 

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Beading wire
• Wire cutters
• Masking tape
• Beads
• Crimp beads
• Pliers
• Clasp

1. • 1
     Wrap a length of beading wire around your wrist to determine how long your bracelet should be, then snip the wire to the appropriate length using wire cutters -- leaving a couple of inches on either end. Beading wire is sold in a variety of colors and styles, including metal, synthetic and elastic.
   • 2
     Lay out a design with your beads. You may be following a pattern, recreating something from memory or completely making a unique design.
   • 3
     Tape a piece of masking tape to one end of the beading wire. This will ensure that beads will not fall off the end of the wire as you work.
   • 4
     String the beads onto the wire in your determined pattern or in a random order. If your design features a lot of large, chunky beads, you may wish to intersperse them with small, fine beads to give the bracelet variety.
   • 5
     Thread a crimpbead onto the beading wire, about an inch from the end, when your beading pattern is finished. Thread one half of the clasp onto the wire next to the crim bead. Pass the wire back through the crimp bead and squeeze it shut with the pliers. Trim excess wire with the wire cutters.
   • 6
     Remove the tape on the other end of the bracelet. Thread a crimp bead on the wire, one inch from the end. Thread the other half of the clasp onto the wire, then pass the wire back through the crimp bead and cinch the wire to take up any slack. squeeze with the pliers to secure. Trim excess wire with wire cutters
   • 7
     Snip any excess wire with the wire cutters.

Read more: How to Make Chunky Bead Bracelets | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7661299_make-chunky-bead-bracelets.html#ixzz1K0sdL8zs