Lesson 5: Which wire to choose for a simple Miyuki bracelet?

Which thread for the Miyuki?

Today we will see which wire to choose to make a simple Miyuki bracelet. We will show you two methods to make an adjustable beaded bracelet. This is the fifth and final episode of our beginner jewelry course - summer season. Feel free to check out the previous 4 episodes of the beginner jewelry course. The goal of this course is to offer you 5 lessons to learn the basics of fashion jewelry making. Each lesson is accompanied by a piece of jewelry to make at a low cost so you can buy the tools to make jewelry and accessories little by little. At the end of this lesson, you will be equipped and ready to make thousands of different pieces of jewelry. Go to our tutorials section to find over 2000 free jewelry tutorials.

1 - Which wire to choose to make a Miyuki beaded bracelet?

Choose the size of the wire

To choose your wire, you need to know the size of the hole of the beads. Check the page of each product for the hole size and write it down on a sheet of paper. Once you have noted all the hole sizes of your beads, find the smallest size. If your beads are Miyuki delica 11/0, you should know that the hole size of these beads is 0.8 mm. Let's assume that the smallest size on your bracelet is 0.8mm. In this case, you can't use a wire larger than 0.8mm. To make stringing the beads easy, you will need to use a wire smaller than this size.

If you make a bracelet with wire as in the example, prefer small beads without roughness inside. Indeed, the roughness or defects inside the bead may eat away the wire and damage it. For these beads, use wire or metallic wire. If the beads are too big, for example 8 mm, don't use a 0.5 mm wire either, because proportionally it won't be pretty. Use a thicker wire.

The thinner the wire, the easier it is to thread. Normally, in order to use a needle with your thread, the thread must be able to pass through the bead hole twice. So usually, you would need a 0.4 mm thread. It turns out that we tested passing the Linhasita 0.5mm thread through the beads with a needle and it worked, but just barely. Since you can't test before ordering your thread, if you use another thread, stick to a thread that is 0.4 mm maximum to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Since you can't test the needles to see if your thread goes through them, the ideal is to use a slotted needle to thread your beads. This is a flexible needle that opens fully. It's a very handy needle, but fragile, so don't force it through the beads too much, or at least keep it in mind. These needles are also not suitable for bead weaving, as they are too long and soft.

Choosing wire material

If you want to make a slip knot, it is best to use synthetic thread that will melt with the flame of a lighter. This technique allows you to do without glue and is very strong, as long as it is done correctly. Indeed, the heat will melt the wire at the knot, but for the knot to hold, the wires at the end of the knot must be fused together, without melting the wires that run under the knot and that must slide. You can still use glue, but it may come off after a while. This is still an option.

The simplest, and easiest for a beginner, is to use a stopper bead as a sliding clasp. A stopper bead is a metal bead with a stretchy silicone interior. This interior will prevent the wire from slipping too easily. If the hole in the bead is 0.5 mm, you can use a 0.5 mm wire because the hole has to be slightly smaller than the wire that goes through the bead twice. Sometimes you have to test several stopper beads to find the right one. If you are using a stopper bead as a clasp, you do not need to use a synthetic wire. A wire made of natural material can be used. It must be strong enough though.

2 - Making a slip knot

There are several ways to make a slip knot. Here is one method among others.