Embellished wrap bracelets are everywhere, and I am kind of obsessed with these colorful Chan Luu ones right now. But $220?
Yikes! I think we can make our own for a wee bit less. Less than $5 in fact!
You'll need:
- 3 yards of silk ribbon cord. I got mine (purple, of course) at JoAnn's in the trim section.
- 2 dozen 8 mm gold beads. Mine were from a local craft store but these beads are similar.
Cut the ribbon into 3 equal lengths. Standard bracelet size is 7 inches so you'll want it about 29 inches long in order to wrap 4 times.
Start by braiding about 6 inches of ribbon and then secure the end with a rubber band. Anchor the end with something heavy to hold in it place.
Start braiding in the beads by feeding the ball onto the middle strand and then tightly braiding the other two strands around it. Don't pull too hard though or the beads will have a tendency to pop out as you go.
Continue feeding beads onto the middle strand until you run out (I had about 25) or until there's about 6 inches of ribbon left.
Finish with another 6 inches or so of braiding. Then clamp the ends with ribbon fasteners or just tie it in a knot.
It looks great as a bracelet or a necklace!
Need another project? Try making one of these cool T-shirt braided bracelets next.
Wonder Ladee says
Hello,
We love your detailed and comprehensive tutorial. We wish to feature this page on our blog if permitted and if there will be a slot available for this style/technique.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Diybeadingclub.com
Handmade-Jewelry-Club.com
Diylessons.org
gerbermom says
Hi there and thank you! Of course, you can use the tutorial with proper credit.
caroline @ c.w.frosting says
Great tutorial! Will be pinning for reference =) Haven't been here in a long time but love the new-to-me blog design. xo
gerbermom says
thanks and all the best!
The Curvy Girl says
This is FABULOUS!
Cath says
I love these bracelets too and my daughter is mad on them. Thanks for sharing how to make our own (and giving me the incentive!). Cath.
Dicegrrl says
I'm trying... my beads are smooth and round, maybe thats the problem because tehy wont stay braided...
gerbermom says
Have you tried dabbing a bit of glue on the beads? That will help them stay in place.
dodo araneta says
pretty...and pinned!!
dodo araneta says
pretty....and pinned!!
Cinnamon Spring says
That is such a great DIY! I've been doing my own ones too, out of horror at Chan Luu's crazy prices :(
Kristina says
I am crocheting a lovely beaded fringe blanket with beading, I was thinking of making your bracelet to match. Do you think it would work with Worsted weight yarn?
Marilyn Cowley says
I can't feed the ribbon through the bead! is there an easy way to do it? Because it does not go through easily and the wholes are the right size. thank you !
gerbermom says
You can burn the ends with a lighter for just a second so they don't fray. Or you can use a bobby pin and pull through. Hope that helps!
Area Codes says
These bracelets are very nice.
Quinn says
The bracelet is so cute, I tried to make it but I could not get the beads to stay in place while braiding. I would get five done and they would all slip. I got the silk cord and some cute silver beads but then it would not work for me… So sad. If there are any tips you can give to help overcome this issue I would love to get some advice for it thank you.
Cheryl says
you could try using leather cords instead of silk threads cos the silk ones are more prone to slipping :) good luck!
gerbermom says
I added some tips to the post the help you keep the beads from slipping. Hope it helps!
Nela says
Where can I order the beads from?
Beads says
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mariana says
also helps if you tape the ribbon down to the table with masking tape instead of using a heavy object. Cute!!!
Kim says
Please tell me what size beads were used, Im about to give up on this!!
gerbermom says
Kim - I used beads with an 8mm opening.
Julie says
Is there a way to end this other then tying it? Just curious. I made one tonight but with the supplies I have and it turned out quite masculine. I'm going to post it on my blog with a link back to here if you'd like to stop by and check it out (not tonight but soon).
Thank you! Blessings.
gerbermom says
Yes, you can use a jump ring to attach a lobster clasp to the ribbon clamp if you prefer.
Elizabeth says
hello. I'm going to try this technique in a bit different way... hope that's okay?
Dannielle Blauvelt says
I'm really wanting to make these bracelets for my friends and am having a hard time finding the silk cord at my local stores so im looking to buy some online. One of the websites i've found lists their cord in #'s, based on the diameter in mm. Do you know what size yours is that you used? Also, if anyone has bought online, where did u buy urs? Thanks.
Nikki Porter says
I was also having trouble. Look in the ribbon section of your craft store (I found at hobby lobby). I used ribbon that is called "decorative trim" and it is 100% nylon. Cost $1.99 and is on sale for 1/2 off right now. Item # 141796. I bought black so this number may be specific for the black color. Happy hunting...it really turns out cute! I know this doesn't really answer your question about buying online, try searching for 1/8" nylon.
Tracie says
I also bought my cord at Hobby Lobby, but I don't know what size beads to get?? Can someone please help me??? I'm so excited to try this but I can't even get started :(
gerbermom says
The ribbon is commonly called "rattail cord" - you can find it in the trim section of JoAnn's for 50-99 cents a yard. You can also find large hole beads at JoAnn's but I'm searching for an online source as well.
Kay Angel says
Most craft stores carry them, including Michaels and Total Crafts. Online, try ebay or Fire Mountain Beads. Look at the size of your cord and get beads with a slightly larger hole in them. If you buy local, take your cord in and hold it up next to the beads. Should be fairly easy to see if it will fit.
Angie says
Love these! I am definitely going to make one and will post the results :)
Radha Madhav Dham says
Those bracelet and necklace is so lovely and I'm mad on it's design. Soon I'm going to grab it..!
Veronica says
It looks like silk cord (also referred to as "Rattail" or rat tail). It does come in different thicknesses if you are having difficulty with the cording going through the beads. There is a tool to increase the hole size of beads if you are so inclined. I can't wait to try this.
Kelly says
The original $220 version is actually not that hard to make. 10-12 feet of cord (I work at a bead store where we sell cord for $0.15 a foot), two or three strands of basic gold spacer beads or other small beads (price depends on materials: $ stones > $ plated metals or glass), some string or thread, and a button or toggle for the clasp is all you need. I've made several of these, and they are pretty easy (though time consuming).
Anne says
I'm having trouble getting the beads stay in place while braiding! The cord keeps slipping when I pull tightly to secure. Any suggestions? Looking forward to sharing these with my best girlfriends over Christmas - thanks for your help!
jeanine says
im having the exact same issue!!! did you ever figure out how to fix this??
gerbermom says
I added some tips to the post to help keep the beads in place. You can also try leather cord.
fotini di miou says
Great and easy...I will try it! Thank you for this idea!
Patty says
I love your site.It is fantastic.
I cannot access ' You might also like:' links though. Is my computer or are the links down?
bracelets strings says
Super cute! As always, you have awesome ideas.I love This is fantastic bracelets!!
Ciera says
I tried these and was disappointed. I bought lots of silk cording from my local craft store. Then I bought some pretty beads. And I tried it out and found that the silk cording is too large to go through the opening in the beads. I searched all over the place for beads with larger thread holes and couldnt find any. So how did you manage to thread the beads onto the cording? Where did you get your cording?
Katelin says
I had this exact same issue! I bought two different size beads (biggest openings I could find) Very frustrating.
gerbermom says
Where did you buy your beads? You can find large hole opening beads at JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby.
Anne says
Wow this is so Fantastic!! Love it!
Hugs
Anne
Sarah Stephens says
Was that ribbon or cording you used? I'm all about trying this!!! Thanks for sharing.
Marcelyn says
Hi there!
I desperately want to make this! I looked all over town today for beads that size and didn't find anything. I'm going to order online. I did find the ribbon though. My next question is what size clamps did you use? could you send me a link of the kind of clamp so i know i'm getting the right kind? i'm extremely uncrafty, but i'm trying!
elizabeth says
interested in the ends and how to tie off and it looks like cord not ribbon correct?
henryhappened says
Hi Elizabeth - I clamped the ends and just tied them off. But you can easily use a clamp with a ring and then attach a lobster claw closure with a jump ring. Hope that helps!
Tracie says
Where did you purchase the beads and clamps? I'm having a very difficult time finding ones that have a large enough opening.
Ellen Jones says
I was also wondering how you end the bracelet to attach on wrist. Help. That looks like the cord you can buy, is it? Want to make some of these for granddaughters and daughter. Thanks for showing. Awesome.
Gildalind says
Very beautiful!
Thanks
Sally Anderson says
What a clever and beautiful take on the braided bracelets. This is really beautiful!
Deanna says
Luv this - I've seen in stores with crystals that are expensive - going to make these this weekend!!
Amy L says
How do you fasten the finished bracelet? Can't wait to make one!
Kimmi says
Where do you find the ribbon? I can't find it.
henryhappened says
I believe I got mine at JoAnn's in the trim area. Let me know if that helps!
Shannon says
Hi - I went and bought so much cord today and don't think it was the right one :( I know you said you got yours at JoAnn's is it called Silk ribbon cord? Is there a certain size I need to buy? I know I need 3 yards for each bracelet but is there any other dimensions I need to know so I can make sure I get the correct cord?
Cannot wait to make these, have everything sitting here staring at me lol w/ a bunch of great colors so hopefully I can find another project for those. I know a bunch of people have asked so if there' anyway you can post a link or give more info it would be greatly appreciated! You also used 8 mm beads to correct?
Thanks for your help, the braceletes are amazing!
THANK YOU!!!
gerbermom says
The ribbon is commonly called "rattail cord" - JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby sells it in the trim area.
Rebecca says
WOW, this is amazing. I'm making one this weekend. I've decided :D
Frantastic says
I can't see how the bracelet attaches to the wrist. Could you please explain? Do you just tie the braided ends together? Thanks for sharing!
Angie @ bigbearswife says
I love the necklace!! So much better than a $200.00 one!!
Trina says
Having the hardest time finding the right beads and cording to make this! Any tips on where to buy? Tried Michael's and struck out. Thanks!
Mi'Yata says
I had to order online for my materials. Couldn't find what I needed at any of the local stores like Michaels and Joanna either. I typically rack up at the bead shows as well! I hope this helps.
Crystal says
So cute and so simple to make! Thanks for linking up!
Crystal
Lindsay says
I like you version actually better!! Love this.
-newest follower
-Lindsay
Delighted Momma
Karen says
I think I recognize the model! Beautiful!
Catherine says
My girls are in their bracelet phase and would love to make these. Thanks!
Nikki B says
wow...super cool! I love it! I want to do one too!
Moda says
Thanks gerbermom.
Brandy J. says
This jewelry is fabulous! I love your blog and many of your projects. I hope you don't mind that I'm showing off your fun feathered hat on my blog today. I totally wish I had found it sooner and I would have made one for myself!
writingsfrom50pluslady says
WOW ! I am impressed,all the items look great,but I have no such talent to create them.
Have a great day.
SouthernScraps says
Cute. Thanks for the tutorial!
kathy r says
I like the way you made this using a braid. I made one using a different technique, but I like the look of yours better. It seems people are having trouble with supplies. I went to WalMart and bought leather cordidng and cute ponybeads. Very cheap and came out fine. I fastened mine with a button attached at one end and a loop made out of the leather cord on the other end. Good Job!!
gerbermom says
Thanks for the supply suggestions! I updated the post with an online bead source - although you can get similar beads at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. But Wal-Mart is great too!!