This tutorial shows you a basic technique of costume jewellery creation: Create a bracelet partly with chain and partly with beads. It's not a very complicated technique, but you need to know it in order to make a neat and solid work. The first important thing is to choose a thread suitable for beads. Do not use sewing or weaving thread. These threads are not strong enough for this type of creation. Choose a nylon thread, such as fishing thread from the Tortue brand. Also, choose a thread size that is large enough, but that can easily pass through the beads twice.
You will then need beads to crush, adapted to the size of the thread. The thread must be able to pass through twice. Crush beads are soft metal beads that are designed to be flattened or folded in half to lock the wire in place. For the jewel we are going to make here, the crush beads will be used to attach the wire carrying the beads to both ends of the chain. This avoids making an unsightly knot that would weaken the jewel. The small pearls to be crushed can be hidden or not, by pearl covers to be crushed according to your preferences.
In this tutorial we used crystal spinners from the brand Preciosa. You can do the same thing with Miyuki seed beads or colored heishi.
Cut the ring connecting the links to separate the chain. Keep 4 flower links if you have a wrist size of about 15 cm. If not, add 1 or 2 links. With an open ring, attach the spring clasp.
Cut a 20 cm piece of wire and thread a crush bead on it. Pass the thread through the ring of the last flower link and back through the crush bead. Crush it with a pair of flat tongs. Keep 4 cm of the thread to hide in the beads.
Add an open ring on 3 sequins and close them. Thread 3 times on both ends of the thread: 3 spinners, 1 ring with sequin and finish with 3 spinners and 1 new squeeze bead. Separate a new piece of chain from 4 flower links and pass the thread through the ring of the last link before returning to the crush bead. Thread the wire through a few beads to hide it, tighten it and flatten the crush bead. Cut the excess wire after checking that it is well blocked.
To make an adjustable bracelet for larger wrists. Cut 2 pieces of 2 flower links. You will connect them to the bracelet with open rings between each piece. Finish with an open ring and if you wish add a sequin at the end for decoration.
You have a question about this tutorial? Ask it to our team and the people who have already tested it. The Perles & Co community is here to help you!
Credits
Perles & Co, Internet & E-Commerce company [29/07/2021] Any reproduction, representation, adaptation, in any form whatsoever, even partial, is prohibited, except for reproduction for private use not intended for collective use, representation in the family circle (art. L 122-5 CPI) and online publishing on condition that the source is mentioned and a link is included to the corresponding page of our site www.perlesandco.com.
