DIY Stackable Bead Bracelets

In the Summer Essentials post I promised to provide a tutorial of how to make stackable bead bracelets. Making these bracelets is quick, easy and FUN! Here are the supplies you’ll need, no special tools are required.

Supplies:

Beads – there are literally thousands of beads to choose from. They vary in material (glass, plastic, ceramic, wood, pearl, gemstone, etc.) shape (round, cube, faceted, etc.) and size (I prefer 6mm, 8mm or 10mm round for bracelets). You will need enough to go around your wrist, most adult women have a 7″ wrist, the amount of beads will depend on the bead diameter. Generally you will need 30 – 6mm beads, 22 – 8mm or 17 – 10mm beads. Click here for an awesome bead estimator calculator for all types of projects.
Accent Bead – I used a pave inspired bead, this is optional, but without an accent of some kind the bracelet will look plain (it is a matter of taste)
Stringing material – I love Stretch Magic brand, and prefer the 1mm thickness because of its strength and most beads have a center diameter that will fit 1mm thick stringing material
Clear nail polish – I use a small dab on the knot, but this is optional

You can get the supplies anywhere they sell beads or online. My favorite Connecticut beading stores are A Bead of Roses in Newtown, CT, Bead Works, in Fairfield, CT and Beads and More in Woodbury, CT. Nation-wide craft stores such as Michaels and JoAnn Fabric will have a large selection. Online, I like Artbeads, and Fusion Beads and Fire Mountain Gems.

Once you have the supplies, these literally take less than 5 minutes to make. It is a great project to do with children at home and many bead stores will offer bead making parties for any occasion. Here are the step by step instructions.

Cut a length of stringing material that is long enough to fit around your wrist and add about 3″ – you want it long enough to work with and make knots.

I like putting the accent bead (if you use one) in the center and make the knot on the other end which will be under your wrist.

Make 2-3 regular knots – pull the Stretch Magic very tight after each knot, it is surprisingly strong.

Cut the ends of the Stretch Magic very close to the knot, in the above photo you can’t even see the knot because I pulled the knot through to the center of the bead.

You can pick any color combination to stack together, you can even combine different bead diameters.