HANDMADE JEWELRY: RUBY BRACELET
Feminine and fun, this 7 inch (18 cm) bracelet is perfect for those who love the delicate glitter of garnets. Cream-colored cotton cords pair up with the ruby red shade from the garnet gemstone rondelles to create this stunning, romantic piece. Each garnet bead is hand strung onto the cotton cords which are then braided using the three-stranded braid technique. Finish with a bright gold-plated button bead closure. Capturing bohemian chic flair, this design is so simple and almost effortless to make!
Here is what you need:
- 1 mm cotton embroidery thread in cream
- Ruler
- Scissors
- 6 mm gold disc button bead
- Thread glue (or clear nail polish)
- Clipboard
- Sticky tape
- 20–25 4 mm garnet rondelle bead mix (beads range from 4–6mm)
Tips:
Using beads of slightly varying sizes will increase the raw and natural look of the finished bracelet.
With beaded cord strands, make sure each bead is placed along the side of the braid as you go, rather than on top or underneath. This will help keep the overall braid even and flat throughout.
Step 1
Cut three strands of thread, each measuring 15 in (38 cm).
Step 2
Line up the ends of all three cords and make a braided loop for the button bead closure. Make sure the loop is slightly larger than the disc button bead—in this case, the loop should be about 3/8 in (8–10mm). Trim any excess thread.
Step 3
Take the other ends of the cords and dab the tips with thread glue or clear nail polish. Leave the glue to dry. The stiffened, glued ends will make it easier to thread the beads onto the cords and prevent the ends from fraying.
Step 4
Once the glue has dried, secure the cords to the clipboard by taping down the button loop.
Step 5
Using the three-stranded braid technique (see pp.14–15), make a tight braid about 1 1/2 in (4cm) long, then tie an overhand knot with all three cords.
Step 6
String 7–10 rondelle beads onto each of the three cords.
Step 7
Once all the beads have been strung on, evenly space them apart on each cord, with about 1/4 in (6 mm) between each bead. The distance from the first bead to the last should be roughly 2 1/2 to 3 in (5 to 7.5 cm).
Step 8
Loosely braid the beaded strands until you come to the last bead. Tie an overhand knot with all three cords.
Step 9
Braid the rest of the cords another 1 1/2 in (4 cm), as in Step 5, and finish by tying another overhand knot.
Step 10
Thread on the disc button bead for the closure. Knot it, trim away excess strands, and dab thread glue or clear nail polish on the knot to secure it and prevent it from coming undone.
Step 11
This bracelet pattern is excerpted with permission from Artful Handmade Wrap Bracelets: A Complete Guide to Creating Sophisticated Braided Jewelry Incorporating Precious Metals and Stones
by Di Kim and published by Race Point Publishing.
