ECT TV Episode 64: Gemstone Bead and Silk Ribbon Bracelet
In this new episode of Emerging Creatively Tutorials TV (ECT TV) learn how to make wire wrapped bead links, open and close jump rings and make a fun, whimsical bracelet.Here's today's video episode:
Last week I shared the Boho Tassel Necklace Tutorial. This bracelet uses some of the leftover beads from that project as well as the scraps of ribbon you have leftover.
In this project we'll use jump rings to attach the bead links. In ECT TV Episode 63 I showed you a technique for attaching wire wrapped bead links without using jump rings. You can find that video tutorial here if you prefer not to use jump rings.Step-by-Step Photo Instructions:These are the step-by-step photo instructions of the exact same tutorial that is found in the video.
Materials and Tools:
- Vanilla White Hand Stitched Silk Fairy Ribbon *
- Vanilla White Hand Stitched Silk Ribbon *
- Chrysoprase Nugget Gemstone Beads 10-25mm
- 30mm Pewter Toggle Clasp
- 20 gauge half-hard, round wire
- 7mm jump rings
- Wire cutters
- Round nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
- Bent nose pliers
*For the ribbon, I simply used 4 inch scraps that I had leftover from the Boho Tassel Necklace, but you could just cut several 4 inch scraps.And, of course, feel free to use different gemstones or different colors of silk ribbon if you like.Step #1
Use a sharpie to make a mark on your round nose pliers. It doesn't particularly matter where the mark is; just make sure to use that mark throughout the project.Step #2
Cut approximately 6 inches of wire.Step #3
Hold the wire in round nose pliers about 1 1/2 inches from the top. The wire should be lined up vertically with the line you made on your pliers.Step #4
Form a loop by wrapping the wire around one barrel of the pliers.Step #5
Remove the loop from round nose pliers. The loop will be off-centered, so we'll fix that now. (If you already have another way of doing this, feel free to use your way.)Hold the loop in chain nose pliers.
Wrap the short end of the wire around the long end one time. As you do this, pull the long end out straight.Step #6
Wrap around 2 more times.Trim off the excess wire and make sure the end is not poking out.
Step #7
Slide on 3 gemstone beads.Note: You may want to use just 2 gemstone beads per link. For my bracelet I used 3 gemstone beads on 3 wire wrapped bead links and 2 gemstone beads on 2 wire wrapped bead links.Step #8
Hold the wire just above the gemstone beads with round nose pliers. Make sure to line up the wire vertically with the sharpie mark on your pliers.Step #9
Wrap the wire around one barrel of round nose pliers to form a loop.Step #10
Now we'll straighten the loop like we did previously. Hold the loop in chain nose pliers.
Wrap around one time and as you do that pull the beads out straight to center the loop on top of the wire.Step #11
Wrap around 2 more times, trim off the excess wire and make sure the end is not poking out.
Step #12Determine what length to make your bracelet. Subtract the length of the clasp from the total length and make enough wire wrapped bead links to make up the difference. If it doesn't work out just right you can make some bead links with 2 beads instead of three or use extra jump rings to add length.Step #13
Open up several jump rings. (It's a lot quicker to open up all the jump rings you need for a project at one time.)Find the opening in the jump ring. Center the opening between bent nose pliers and chain nose pliers (or other pliers that are flat on the inside if you don't have bent nose pliers.)With one hand pull toward you and with the other push away to open the jump ring. Do not open out to the sides.
Step #14
Attach all your wire wrapped bead links together using jump rings.Note: to close jump rings do the opposite of what you did to open them. Go past the point of closing a few times to harden the jump ring and then you'll hear or feel a click when the jump ring is closed properly. (Usually you'll feel or hear a click, but not always.)Step #15
Use jump rings to attach one side of the clasp to each end.Step #16
Tie 4 inch scraps through each jump ring in between wire wrapped bead links on your bracelet. Make sure to pull the ties tightly.
Step #17
Trim off the ribbons so they're all the same length.
Now you have a beautiful new bracelet to go with your Boho Tassel Necklace or on its own.
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