Friendship bracelets are still one of the most popular trends right now, and we love the look of them stacked in layers on an arm. In this tutorial you'll learn how to make a fine chain bracelet with tiny beads. We've used bright block colours mixed with a little gold, but you can make them in any colourway you like. They make great gifts for friends and family, too.
Supplies
- Coloured seed beads.
- Fine chain.
- Spring clasp fastenings.
- Wide space chain.
- Tiger tail.
- Flat end head pins.
- 3mm crimps.
- 4mm jump rings.
- Flat nose pliers.
- Round nose pliers.
- Wire cutters.
1. Prepare the Chain
Step 1
Cut two lengths of chain 4.5cm long. If you are planning on making a few bracelets, it's worth cutting several lengths in one go as it will save you lots of making time.
2. Prepare the Tiger Tail
Step 1
Cut a length of tiger tail 20cm long. Taking one piece of small chain, thread your tiger tail through the very end, thread on a crimp and loop back on itself. Make sure the gap between the end of the chain and the tiger tail is quite small before tightly squeezing the crimp closed with the flat nose pliers.
3. Thread the Beads
Step 1
Thread 12 coloured seed beads onto the tiger tail. We used all orange beads for a graphic colour-blocked effect.
Step 2
Now add five gold beads. You don't have to use gold but they do look really striking with the gold chain.
Step 3
Add another 12 coloured beads followed by a crimp. Taking a second piece of small chain, thread the tiger tail through the very end link and loop back through the crimp and the last five or six beads at the end. Pull tight so there are only very small gaps between the beads. Squeeze the crimp closed.
4. Prepare Connector Chain
Step 1
You can buy specific connector chain but in this tutorial we will be making our own. Look for a chain that has long links but ensure you can attach a spring-opening clasp to it.
Cut a length of chain 4cm long.
Step 2
Take a head-pin and thread on one single seed bead. You will need about a 1cm length after the bead to make a loop, and cut off any excess length.
Step 3
Using the round nose pliers, take the end of the head-pin firmly between the two ends and roll the head-pin in a clockwise direction to form a loop. Before you close the loop completely, thread on the end of the connector chain.
5. Add the Closures
Step 1
Open a jump ring by taking a pair of pliers on either side of the opening of the jump ring and pull in opposite directions. Thread on your bracelet chain and connector chain and then close the jump ring.
Step 2
Repeat the above step, but fix a clasp opening instead of the connector chain.
Wear Your Bracelet
And you’re finished. Well done!
This is a really simple tutorial perfect for those of you who are just getting into jewellery making. We have covered basic threading and crimping, plus adding simple fastenings.
These bracelets look awesome layered together with lots of whimsical pieces you might have in your collection. You could easily make larger versions using exactly the same steps but with bigger beads and chunkier chain and findings. If you're making these bracelets as gifts you might like to make little fabric bags to go with them.
Let us know how you go with this tutorial - we'd love to hear your thoughts. If you'd like to make some more jewellery, don't miss these tutorials here.
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