Strings and Beads and Butterflies, Oh My!

Okay, so unfortunately I lied (this is Bonnie, just so no one thinks Shelby lied!).  There was not a post yesterday, because something came up (something fun, so I actually feel guilty about not posting haha)!  But, here’s a post now, and I might actually put up a post later!  Or I might save it for later this week. (As an added bonus, it won't even be jewelry!)

I’ve been on a jewelry spiel lately.  I visited my grandma (I love visiting my grandma and grandpa <3 ) this last weekend, and we made bracelets together.  Usually I use wire, but she showed me how to make them using stretchy string, which I like even more.  Also, I love wearing bracelets.  On a given day, I’m usually wearing at least five.  Plus, this type of bracelet is easy to slip on and off!

Here’s what you’ll need:

(You can get this all in the beading section at Walmart or an art store.)

Stretchy string

Beads (I use assorted sizes…this time I used medium red and small turquoise)

Spacer beads (the silver butterflies in this case, but they have tons of options)

Scissors

 Step 1:

Cut off about fourteen inches of string.  If you want to measure your wrist first, feel free to do that.  (I’m not putting in measurements because I have tiny freaking wrists.  I read in a jewelry-making magazine that the average is between 8-10 inches.)  If you measure your wrists, make sure you leave AT LEAST THREE INCHES extra to tie, because this is slippery string.  You definitely want enough to get a grip on it!

This is steps 2 and 3

Step 2:

Pick out the beads you are using, as well as the spacers, and separate them.  Line them up in the pattern you want, so you can figure out about how many you will need.  As you can see, the pattern I used went T-R-T-B-T-R-T-B-T-R-T-B-T-R-T-B-T-R-T-B-T-R-T-B-T-R-T-B.  (T=Turquoise, R=Red, B=Butterfly.)  

Step 3:

Now that you have the beads laid out, you can start putting them on the string.

Tip: Hold one end of the string while you do this, so the beads don’t slip off.  You can see in the picture how I do it.  The end I have between my fingers is not the end I put the beads on.

Tip:Make sure you put the beads on in order!  I always try to make it a full circle with the pattern, but if you need to add more or less of the pattern to make it fit your wrist, don’t be bothered by two beads of the same color being side-by-side.  One of my other bracelets has that, and I always just face that side down to the inside of my wrist.

Step 4:

Wrap the beaded string around your wrist, but be careful because you don’t want to accidentally let go of one end.  (And no complaining that it’s difficult…I did it while taking a picture.  THAT was difficult =P)  If it fits well, you’re free to go on to the next step.  If it’s too small, add on a few beads and then repeat this step.  If it’s too big, take off a few beads and repeat this step.

Step 5:

Tie the knot!  I use a normal knot, and I usually tie it about five times so I’m sure it’ll stay tied.  Here’s the best way to do this: tie it to the person’s wrist, or tie it to your own wrist.  That way, the knots are nice and tight.  I didn’t have another person to tie it to (haha) so I just used a chair leg.  If you do this, make sure you can slip it off – don’t tie it somewhere that’s blocked on both ends!  

I slipped it around the chair leg, pulled it tight, and tied about five knots!  It might be hard to see in the picture, because I used clear string, but you should be able to make it out if you squint and tilt your head to the left (not the right…but I jest.  You should just be able to see it!).  

And now, place the bracelet on your wrist!  Yay, you have a bracelet!  (I made mine for my roommate Amie…she doesn’t know it yet, but here’s a few other bracelets I’ve made that I’m still in possession of, and how they look on and off the wrist.)