Project: Birthday braceletCelebrate a milestone birthday with beads
by Naomi Fujimoto
Published: October 14, 2010 For my friend's 60th birthday, I wanted to give her a special piece of jewelry that didn't necessarily include an initial or a birthstone.
So I opted for a bracelet that included exactly 60 beads — even though the design posed a bit of a mathematical challenge.
I calculated that 13 mm-link chain allowed for four dangles on each of 15 links. (Actually, I attached only three on the last link, then one for the extender dangle.) To make the process manageable, choose the chain first, then decide on the size of the beads.
Supplies
• 30–60 5–10 mm beads
• 7–8½ in. (18–24.1 cm) chain, 12–14 mm links
• 2 in. (5 cm) craft wire
• 30–60 1½-in. (3.8 cm) head pins
• 5–6 mm jump ring
• lobster claw clasp
• chainnose and roundnose pliers
• diagonal wire cutters
Check your local bead store for supplies. To find the nearest store, visit beadshopfinder.com.
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Step 1
Decide how many links you'll use for the bracelet. Use a piece of craft wire to mark the corresponding link on the chain (I attached wire to the 15th link.) Do not cut the chain.
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Step 2
Open a jump ring (Basics). Attach the first link of the chain and a lobster claw clasp. Close the jump ring. |
Step 3
On a head pin, string a bead. Make the first half of a wrapped loop (Basics). Make the total number of bead units to match the milestone you're celebrating. (I made 60 bead units.)
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Step 4
Attach each bead unit to the corresponding chain link, saving one bead unit for the extender dangle. Complete the wraps as you go. You should have attached links up to — and including — the link with the wire marker. Remove the wire (it was just there to remind you of the chain length while you arranged bead units).
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Step 5
Trim the chain a few links away from the last
group of bead units. Attach the last bead unit to the end
link. *
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