Basic Stringing
Step-by-Step Instructions for Rose N Pearls Bracelet
(The old version of these instructions is available here.)
This baby bracelet is one of my favorite designs - it is a very delicate pattern, with lots of sparkle and sheen!
Parts needed:
- 10 Swarovski 5mm Cream Rose Pearls
- 4 Swarovski 4mm Rose Bicones
- 5 6mm x 8mm Oval Dark Pink Cat's Eye Beads
- 20 4mm Bali Spacers
- 20 2mm Sterling Rounds
- 1 Lobster Clasp
- 1 Closed Ring
- 2 Crimp Beads
- Jewelry Wire
- Flush Cutters
- Crimping pliers
Before you start beading - remove the loose ring from the end of your lobster clasp. This ring is called a jump ring, and because it is not soldered shut, it can pull open and cause the bracelet to break. You can use your wire cutters and cut it off, or you can pull it open carefully and save it for another project. Then - open the lobster clasp, and slip on the closed ring. Now you're ready to bead!
- Start by unrolling a 8"-10" of wire from your Beadalon spool. DO NOT CUT THE WIRE OFF THE SPOOL - you'll waste less wire, and the spool will keep your beads from rolling off as you string them.
- String 1 2mm sterling round
- String 1 4mm bali spacer
- String 1 5mm crystal pearl
- String 1 4mm bali spacer
- String 1 2mm sterling round
- String 1 6mm x 8mm oval bead
- String 1 2mm sterling round
- String 1 4mm bali spacer
- String 1 5mm crystal pearl
- String 1 4mm bali spacer
- String 1 2mm sterling round
- String 1 4mm bicone bead
- String 1 2mm sterling round
- String 1 4mm bali spacer
- String 1 5mm crystal pearl
- String 1 4mm bali spacer
- String 1 2mm sterling round
- String 1 6mm x 8mm oval bead
- Keep going with this pattern alternating the bicone beads and the oval beads in between the round/bali/pearl/bali/round groupings.
At this point, the bracelet will be 6 1/4" long. When finished - the total length will be 7" even. You can add or subtract beads at this point to reach your desired length. Remember to add in 3/4" for the clasp and crimps.
Next - run your wire through the crimp bead, then through the end of the lobster clasp, and then back through the crimp again, leaving a short tail hanging out, as shown below.
Follow the instructions on the crimp-pliers packaging to close the crimp. Its WISE to practice this a few times with some wire scraps and extra crimps. VERY VERY WISE!!! Then trim off the tail right next to the crimp.
Snip the wire at the other end of the bracelet off the spool, leaving about 3 inches to work with. Run the end of the wire through a crimp, then the closed ring, and then back through the crimp. Gently tighten up the wire until your beads all sit nicely together, and you're happy with the appearance and flexibility of the bracelet, as shown above.
It is very important to make sure that the closed ring is already attached to the lobster clasp before you tighten up the crimp bead and the wire in order to have a finished product that has the right flexibility.
Congratulations! You did it!
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