AUTHOR: Anonymous
TITLE: Party Bracelet Tutorial #1 - Supplies
DATE: 12:43:00 PM
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BODY:
- A bead "mix" made up of various types of beads in complimentary colorways;
- Two or three additional colors of seed beads to coordinate with the mix;
- 50 or so "E" beads (enough for 7.5" length of the bracelet);
- 8 to 10 metal charms;
- An assortment of additional specialty beads a bit larger than the beads of your "mix";
- 12" medium-weight metal beading wire;
- Nylon beading thread;
- Toggle-style clasp;
- 2 crimp beads;
- Beading needle;
- Scissors;
- Wire Cutter;
- Pliers for Crimping
- Ruler
Finished Length 7.5"
Notes:
To take the guess work out of choosing beads I start with a bead mix, which is usually available at any bead shop, consist of a variety of shapes and sizes of beads with similar or complimentary colors. I usually supplement the mix by adding two or three other complimentary colors. For example, for this bracelet I started with a green mix and added dark olive, light green and off-white seed beads. Here is a closeup of the green mix.
As far as the specialty/accent beads go, I usually get a variety of glass beads in the shape of stars, leaves, bell flowers, crystals, bugles, etc. and of course, the metal charms. These add the extra bling, that makes the bracelet fun. These beads are usually larger than the beads of the mix.
The "E" Bead are used as the base, i.e., they are strung on the wire between the toggle clasps and are the beads through which the beaded fringe will dangle. Basically, the "eye" of the bead needs to be large enough for the metal stringing wire and two to three passes of nylon threading as each layer of the beaded fringe is added.
Regarding the nylon thread. I thought I would be fancy and pick up a spool of upholstry thread in olive green, but I found the thread was too thick for the eye of the beading needle and would not work with the seed beads. So I ended up going back to your basic nylon beading thread; thin, but strong.
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Notes:
To take the guess work out of choosing beads I start with a bead mix, which is usually available at any bead shop, consist of a variety of shapes and sizes of beads with similar or complimentary colors. I usually supplement the mix by adding two or three other complimentary colors. For example, for this bracelet I started with a green mix and added dark olive, light green and off-white seed beads. Here is a closeup of the green mix.
As far as the specialty/accent beads go, I usually get a variety of glass beads in the shape of stars, leaves, bell flowers, crystals, bugles, etc. and of course, the metal charms. These add the extra bling, that makes the bracelet fun. These beads are usually larger than the beads of the mix.
The "E" Bead are used as the base, i.e., they are strung on the wire between the toggle clasps and are the beads through which the beaded fringe will dangle. Basically, the "eye" of the bead needs to be large enough for the metal stringing wire and two to three passes of nylon threading as each layer of the beaded fringe is added.