Holiday Bracelets
Bead and Wire
by Kathy Weaver

Beginner project

This is a very simple project that a beginning beader can undertake with beautiful results. You can give your bracelet a look that is fun, elegant, or both: it just depends on the color combinations you pick.

There are also many choices when it comes to the beads you use.

You could use a selection of mini beads, such as seed beads, bugle beads, e-beads, and others. Another option is to pick up a package of mixed mini glass beads that are available at most bead stores. If you choose to use a package, find some coordinating seed beads and mix a few dozen of those in to give you extras, as you will need 400-500 beads for the bracelet. As for wire, I usually choose a wire color to match the bead mix I’m using, and of course sterling silver or gold-filled is always appropriate. After you’ve selected your beads and wire, you’re ready to start!

More holiday projects available in our Step-by-Step Jewelry Gifts for the Holidays 2002

Measure your wrist with a flexible tape measure. Cut your 16-gauge wire about 1" longer than the size of your wrist — this will be the base of your bracelet. I like mine to fit snugly, but not too tight. This measurement should ensure a good fit.

Using the file, file each end of the wire so that all the rough edges are removed.

Using the needle nose pliers, grasp the wire at one end and gently roll the wire around the nose to create a hook, which will be the first end of your clasp. Remove the pliers. Move the pliers down 1û8" below the hook you just created and gently bend in the opposite direction to give a little shape to your clasp.

Using the needle nose pliers, grasp the wire at one end and gently roll the wire around the nose to create a hook, which will be the first end of your clasp. Remove the pliers. Move the pliers down 1/8" below the hook you just created and gently bend in the opposite direction to give a little shape to your clasp.

Cut 6' of 26-gauge wire. Run your hands over the length of wire to eliminate any curl you might have. Fold over and twist one end of the wire. This will act as a stop and help hold the beads once you start stringing.

Begin stringing beads randomly on the wire. Keep stringing the beads until you have strung about 400. Do not string the entire length of wire. (You will need wire without beads on it to make the wraps that will go around the base wire.)

You are now ready to wrap! Slide the beads up until you have about 2-1/2" of bare wire. Lay about 2" of the wire on top of the base wire (the end with the hook facing down). Wrap the wire three times around the base wire, about 1/4" from the hook. Be sure to hold on to the tail as you do this.

Slide 4-6 beads down towards the hook. Wrap the wire 1-1/2 times around the base wire. Slip 4-6 more beads down the wire. Move down the base wire about 1û2" and wrap it 1-1/2 times again. You will continue slipping beads down and wire wrapping until you have reached the opposite end of the base wire. Once you are at the end, wrap the wire around 1-1/2 times. You have completed the first wrap.

For the second wrap, slip about 4-6 beads down the wire and angle the wire slightly to the left of the first completed wrap. Wrap the wire once around the base wire. You will always wrap your wire in the same place on the base wire as you did with the first wire wrap, creating segments. Slip 4-6 beads down the wire. Gently angle the wire to the right of the previous wrap (the wire should naturally go to the opposite side of the previous wrap). Wrap the wire around the base wire once. Continue doing this down the base wire (left, then right, left, then right) until you are at the opposite end of the wire.

For the third wrap, repeat Step 6 except be sure to go down the opposite sides from the previous wrap. Continue doing this until you are at the end again.

For the fourth wrap, begin where your third wrap ended and wrap from left to right over the segments you created by your three previous wraps. Slip 4-6 beads down the wire. Go from the top of the segment across to the bottom of the segment on an angle. Continue doing this down the base wire until you are at the end.

For the fifth wrap, wrap over the segments in the opposite direction from the fourth wrap. Make sure your wire is in position to wrap in the opposite direction, so that your beads are in an “X” over the segment.

Once you have completed the fifth wrap you are ready to finish the bracelet. Wrap the wire 3 times around the end of the base wire, and turn your bracelet to the backside. Put the wire through the base wire 2-3 times to anchor the wrapping wire. Trim the wire flush so it will not scratch your wrist. If you have beads left on your wire, simply snip off the end of your wire that was folded and twisted and slip off the remaining beads — save them for another project. If you run out of beads before your project is done, snip off the folded and twisted end, then add some more beads to your wire. Pick up where you left off and continue until you have finished.

To shape the bracelet, grasp it about 1-1/2"- 2" in on each end, near the hooks. Gently bend in toward the unbeaded side of the base wire to create the oval shape of your wrist. You can further shape the bracelet directly on your wrist, as it is very flexible. Your hooks should meet and hook together to create your clasp. Your bracelet is now complete. Enjoy!

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