How to Make Beaded Bracelets (2024)

Let’s learn how to make a beaded bracelet. You might be anew beader. You might be new to jewelry-crafting. Or you might be very pickyand just cannot find a piece of jewelry you love. Learning how to make your ownbracelet is a fun, easy project that lets you stretch your creative muscles.

Christmas is almost here. Giving a store boughtgift is great. But imagine designing personalized jewelry for all of yourfriends and family. Depending on the complexity of your ideas, you can design quite afew bracelets in a short period of time. If you have the materials on hand, itwill be very affordable to finish your Christmas gifts early – and with somemoney in your pocket.

How to Make Beaded Bracelets

So, what will you need?

• Crimping Pliers
• Cutters
• Beading Wire
• Beads
• Crimp Tubes
• Clasp

Tools are important. We love Magical Crimping Pliers. Theyturn a crimp tube into a rounded bead. They eliminate the need for a crimpcover. We consider the design as a whole before stringing it. Knowing how yourfinished crimps will look on the bracelet is a good way to choose how you wantto finish it. Regular crimping pliers are also great. Regular crimping pliersare a little more flexible than Magical Crimping Pliers as they can crimp awider selection of crimp sizes. Don’t forget a pair of cutters. Professionalcutters will cost more when you purchase them. Bead nippers will be a lotcheaper. However, once you really start using your cutters, you will find thatthe blades dull over time. You are going to be replacing a pair of bead nippersmuch more frequently than a pair of well crafted professional cutters. In thelong run, you are going to save a good deal of money using the better tool.

Beading wire is a consideration. Beading wire issimilar to tools. You get what you pay for. If you settle for a cheaper qualitybeading wire, you are going to be restringing your designs frequently. If youare selling your jewelry – you are going to hurt yourself if you are using awire that is prone to kinking and breaking. Soft Flex Beading Wire isa marine quality stainless steel beading wire. It is flexible enough that youcan knot it. It is very strong and durable. It is kink resistant. Stringingyour design with a high quality beading wire will ensure your jewelry staysstrong and drapes like thread. Make sure you consider the color of your beadswhen selecting your wire. If you are concealing the wire, you can go with asubtle Satin Silver color. If you are showing the wire, let it complement yourbeads. Color wire is also great for translucent beads – your design will reallypop when the wire shines through the bead.

Agate and Crystal Squaredelle Bracelet by Kristen fa*gan

When choosingbeads, do not be afraid to get creative – there is a huge range of optionsto choose from! Think about your personality or the personality of the friendor family member you are making the bracelets for – it will give you someinspiration. Some great ideas include:

• Natural beads – Made from bamboo, lava rock,deer or elk antler, or recycled glass.
• Vintage beads – Pretty glass beads and pearlswith a gorgeous retro design.
• Gemstone beads – For genuine glamour and luxury.
• Artistic glass beads – For individualisticdesigns and color combinations.
• Cubic zirconium beads – For sparkle and style.
• Charms, pendants, and teeny-tiny beads – To addsome personal flavor in a range of forms, from peace signs, gemstones, andantelope heads to dragonflies and Santas!

Components are a factor. You should demand high qualityhere. Some crimp tubes on the market are thin walled and have a seam where thecrimp was finished. This is a recipe for a broken piece of jewelry. Thesecrimps are easy to work harden and break – just by crimping them. Demand highquality crimps. Soft Flex carries acrimp that is almost double wall thick compared to other crimps on the market.They are incredibly strong. They are also seamless. Our crimps are madeto withstand the abuse that a bracelet can throw at it. Bracelets rock back andforth on the arm, if your crimps or beading wire is not ready to bravely facethat abrasion, your jewelry is going to fail and you are going to be picking upbeads.

The clasp you choose is an important part ofyour design. You can pick a small simple clasp for easy, everyday bracelets ormore complex and decorative clasps for fancier pieces. It should suit thedesign you are going for. It should complement the beads you are working with.For example, bold and chunky clasps look great with large, rustic beads, whilefiligree clasps look best with pearls, polished beads, gemstone beads, andcubic zirconium. If you invest in higher end clasps, you can incorporate thoseinto the design itself. Swing your clap to the front of the jewelry. Don’t hideit if it is beautiful.

Beaded Bracelet With Button Clasp by Sara Oehler

Step One:

Cut your beading wire to the correct size (this should be 1½times the circumference of the wrist). If you are unsure, rather cut too muchwire than too little, as you can always trim it down in the final stage ofmaking your bracelet.

Step Two:

Now, thread on a single crimp bead and yourjewelry clasp and position about one inch from the end of the wire. Feed thewire back through the clasp and through the crimp bead to form a loop. Slidethe crimp bead up close to the clasp along the loop.

Step Three:

Thread your beads onto the wire – this is much easier whenyou are using a firm beading wire that does not require a needle! Soft FlexBeading Wire is stiff enough at the end that you will not need a needle. Thisis a good time to try out different designs, color mixes, and more, as it iseasy to explore your options and see what looks best. To get a pattern right,simply apply it according to the number of beads you have. This ensures an evenpattern and helps get charms, pendants, or special feature beads in the middleof the bracelet. A bead board is a great choice for laying your design outbefore you string it. You can check the length and make sure your beads arepleasing and fun.

Step Four:

Once all your beads are on and you are happy with thepattern and size of the bracelet, thread on your remaining crimp bead and thetag that your clasp will attach to. Repeat step one by looping the end of thebeading wire back through the crimp bead and feeding it through the closest 4or 5 beads to hide the end.

Step Five:

Pull the beading wire tight so that there are no gaps betweenyour beads and that your tag is secured against the crimp bead – but withoutdistorting the shape of your bracelet. Using your wire crimper, flatten thecrimp bead and trim away any excess wire.

Congratulations! You now have a pretty additionto your jewelry box or a great gift for a loved one to enjoy!

How to Use Crimp Beads

Crimpbeads are more functional than decorative, and you use them to hold yourcomponents (the clasp and the beads) in place. To secure the crimp bead,position it close to the clasp and squash it lightly using your wire crimper.You will need to flatten it to secure the wire from slipping back through thebead and undoing the loop, so use a good amount of pressure and tug lightly onthe loop to make sure it is secure.

Woven Wire Macramé Bracelet by Sara Oehler

What are Crimp Tubes For?

Crimptubes are similar to crimp beads and are used the same way. You can spot thedifference just by looking at them – the crimp beads will be rounded and beadlike, while the tubes will be longer. Some people prefer to use beads andothers find using tubes easier, so try out both options to see what suit you.Make sure you are selecting a high quality crimp. A poorly made base metalcrimp is going to hurt your design.

Crimp Beads vs. Crimp Tubes

So, should you choose crimp beads or crimp tubes when makinga bracelet? It really comes down to personal preference but often the tubeshave a thicker wall than crimp beads, so they are usually recommended forjewelry that is heavier or that you really want to last a long time.

What is the Best Size Crimp Bead to Use?

Crimpbeads and crimp tubes come in a range of sizes, but the best size to use willdepend on the diameter of your beading wire (or stretch cord if you are making stretch bracelets).The diameter of the crimp should be slightly bigger than the diameter of thebeading wire, but not too big or it is more likely to split. You also need awider diameter crimp bead or tube if you are making a multi-strand bracelet, sothat it fits several strands snugly. If you would like to see what we suggestat Soft Flex Company, follow thislink for the diameters we suggest for each crimp size.

Summer In The Sun Bangle Bracelets by Sara Oehler

Best Bead Ideas

As you can see, homemade bracelets are an easy and rewardingcrafting project. Here is some inspiration from our team to expand yourcollection of beaded bracelets.

Knitted Bangles with Sea Glass & Pearls by Kristen fa*gan

We have everything you need to create your next bracelet. Beit a simple single strand piece or a glorious knitted bracelet dripping withbeads – we have it all. Visit our online shop and check out our selection. Wehave gemstones of all shapes and sizes. We have beads to fit every budget. Wehave a rainbow of color beading wire. We have all of the components and toolsto fill your jewelry box.

We are a company that loves to bead. All of our employeesare active jewelry designers. We want to educate you. If you have anyquestions, please call us or email us. We have friendly staff just waiting totalk to you.

Find us on social media. We have a presence on YouTube,Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. We are always creating new videosand content. We have tons of free beading project ideas. Let us be your muse!

We would love to see your finished bracelets.Join our Facebook group – VIB. Post your finished pieces. We have a funcommunity of talented beaders that love to support each other and give eachother jewelry tips and advice.

Knotted Soft Flex Beading Wire And Beads Bracelet by Sara Oehler

Visit the Soft Flex Company YouTube Channel!

Blog contributor Thomas Soles is the Trade Show Coordinator for Soft Flex Company. His favorite stones are Lapis and Pietersite. His favorite hobby is day dreaming. And his favorite mustache is Tom Selleck's. As you can see, he has a healthy (or possibly unhealthy) sense of humor. You can write to him at Thomas@SoftFlexCompany.com