I’m so pleased Stephanie has invited me back to share another tutorial with you all. This time I have used tropical colored seed beads to create these really pretty bracelets. I like to mix and match my bracelets and these look great worn together, but if you like to keep things simple, one individual bracelet looks fab too.
Even though this tutorial has many steps, I promise it’s really easy! Once you’ve made your first bracelet and got the hang of it, it’s gonna be hard to stop reaching a full on arm party.
Supplies needed:
- A selection of colored seed beads
- side-hinge calottes
- 5mm jump rings
- bolt fastening
- tiger-tail
Step 1. Cut two lengths of tiger-tail 50 cm long. This will be far too much but I always think its best to go over for the first bracelet and then adjust the length for the following bracelets you make. Add a crimp to the very end of each piece of tiger-tail, squeeze tight with a pair pliers to close
Step 2. Thread both pieces of tiger-tail through the calotte.
Step 3. Gently close the calotte over the crimped ends.
Step 4. Tread a bead onto both pieces of tiger-tail. Add 7 seed beads to each strand. Add one contrasting bead to one of the strands, it doesn’t matter which one.
Step 5. Taking the length of tiger-tail without the contrasting bead, thread through the contrast bead in the opposite direction. This will form a loop, pull the ends gently so there are no spaces between the beads.
Step 6. Repeat steps 4 – 5 to make a circle shape.
Step 7. Repeat the above step along the length of the bracelet, mine had eleven complete circles with a tear drop shape either end. Depending on the size of your wrist you might want to have more/less circles.
Step 8. Thread 7 seed beads to both lengths of tiger-tail. Thread both lengths of tiger-tail through a contrast bead followed by a calotte and then a crimp to either length of tiger-tail.
Step 9. Make sure the beads are sitting close together and then squeeze each crimp closed. Snip off any extra length of tiger-tail.
Step 10. Close the calotte over the crimps.
Step 11. Add a jump ring to one end of the bracelet.
Step 12. Using a jump ring add a bolt clasp to the other end of the bracelet.
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial – the bracelets use very few beads so they are perfect for using up any bits and pieces you have in your craft supply box. Happy making!
I love this pattern, I made the bracelet and then made a choker necklace for myself and then for my granddaughter for her picture day. I don’t like to work with wire much but this is so easy I can whip several in one day if I want. Thank you so much for this pattern.
I LOVE the way you present your projects. Very easy for those who cannot understand the more advanced projects. If I were to do this it would be a lot like this. Thank you for great ideas.
Hi Charlotte,
Thank you for a really lovely design I will definitely try it out.
I had to have a sort through my findings box and I actually have a bag of
calottes. They have just been sitting there as I have never used them.
What thickness wire ? I usually use 0.38mm 19 strand beading wire as it is a lot softer than the 7 strand as fine beading chain does not crimp very well.
I have also “discovered” memory wire recently and the pile of bracelets
is rapidly growing!!!
Once again many thanks from a sunny, frosty Rothwell in Northants,UK
Love
Sheila
Pretty sweet bracelet you made! I really into it :)
Great! Thank you for sharing your ideas!
what is tiger-tail? can you use anything else?
thank you so much! I love the different colors, and can think of so many other color choices as well. Very well written and photographed; I just have to check my ruler to see how long 50 cm is in inches, easy to do!
It’s easy and so much fun project to do. and I can add my own little twist with it :)
Thank you for the DIY. It’s so easy and fun to do. I made my own based on it but adding my own twist by wrapping two seed bead circle bracelet into one :)
It’s so easy and fun to do. I made my own based on this DIY but I added my own twist by wrapping two seed bead circle bracelets into one.
These are so pretty and the colors you chose are yummilicious (? best way for me to describe it…lol)
These really are simple, I hope you all give them a go!
Charlotte xx
gorgeous! so dainty and cute!!
Pretty! Thanks for sharing this
so pretty and you have such patience. I could only do this with giant sized seed beads.
Love the colors. So so pretty!
~Kelsy
These are so cute! I have a million seed beads that are just sitting in my craft supply waiting for a purpose. So glad I finally know what to do with them! :)
So pretty! I don’t think you could stop at one because you need this gorgeous colour combo!
Thanks, i like !
where I work we call that end piece a clam shell end tips (aka calotte)
These are so pretty!
These are really adorable!
These are so cute! I like that they look gorgeous but relatively simple to make.
-Becca
Ladyface Blog
these are so adorable, I love it! xx
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