How to Make a Bracelet with Beads and Chain

Jul 25

Written By

Sometimes (quite often) you need a piece of jewelry to go with an outfit. That is the case with this bracelet for me. I had a necklace and I wanted a bracelet to go with it.I had the idea for this simple bracelet and now I'll share the tutorial with you, too.

Materials and Tools:

Rainbow Fluorite Round Beads 9-10 mm (From Happy Mango Beads) You'll need about 8 of these and then you'll have a bunch for other projects.
Chain
Wire
5 jump rings (I used 7 mm jump rings)
1 head pin
Clasp
Wire Cutters
Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
And another set of pliers (square, bent nose or another pair of chain nose)

Instructions:

Step #1Decide how many beads you'll need. I just measured by placing them across my wrist. For this bracelet, you'll just need beads across the top. I used 7 beads and it was probably 1 bead too many. (And I have relatively big wrists.) So adjust accordingly.Step #2Cut 20 gauge wire about 5 1/2" long. (This could vary depending on how many beads you're using.)HINT: What you're about to make is a wire wrapped bead link, but with more than just one bead. You'll be using all the beads you decided on for step #1 to make one "link".I made a video about how to make them, so if you prefer video, watch below:Step #3{You can skip the next few steps if you watched the video!}Hold the wire in your round nose pliers.HINT: I have a mark on my round nose pliers where I make loops. That way all of my loops are uniform.Step #4 Wrap the wire around one barrel of the the pliers.Step #5 Remove the loop from the pliers. The loop will be off to the side. Straighten it so that it's above the wire. (I show how to specifically do this in the video)Step #6Hold the loop with pliers.Step #7Holding the other end of the wire with another pair of pliers and wrap around the wire continuing in the same direction 2 more times.Step #8Trim off any excess wire and make sure that the end is not poking out.Step #9Slide the beads onto the wire.Step #10Repeat steps #3 through #8 for the loop on the other side.Step #11Make a slight bend in the wire so it fits around your wrist.Step #12Make a bead dangle.Here's video on how to make a bead dangle.Step #13Add the beads with the loop on either end to the chain with a jump ring.Need help properly opening jump rings? Click here for my video.Step #14Measure around your wrist to see how long you need the chain. What I do is measure tightly against my wrist and then when I add the clasp it fits me just right.Step #15Add the other end of the chain to the other end of the bead link.Step #16Find the middle of the chain and cut it.Step #17Add each side of the clasp to the bracelet using jump rings.Step #18Add the bead dangle to the circle part of the toggle clasp using a jump ring.Step #19Enjoy your new bracelet!!