Hello Beading Friends! Today I’m bringing to you a fun layered bracelet project that you’re sure to finish easily in an evening of beading fun. I’m calling it Leah’s Lavishly Layered Bracelet (say that 5 times fast!)…and it’s a wonderful exploration of TEXTURE!! Here’s what you’ll need:

Materials:

• Approximately (100) 4mm Swarovski Crystal Bicones
• Approximately (20) 6mm Round Swarovski Crystal Pearls
• Size 11 seed beads, 3 different colors (small pile of each)
• 3-strand slide bar clasp
• 2mm crimp tubes
• Soft Flex beading wire / .014 “Fine” diameter
• Flex wire cutter
• Standard Crimper pliers

Colors I used:

• 4mm Swarovski bicones / Light Smoked Topaz AB2X
• 6mm Swarovski Pearls / Platinum
• Size 11 Toho seed beads in: #203 Light Amethyst Gold Luster, #615 Iris Purple Matte, #PF558 Aluminum Galvanized Permafinish.

 

*** CLICK THUMBNAILS TO ENLARGE ***

1) Start with 1 yard of Soft Flex. String the middle loop of your clasp to the center of your wire to create 2 wire ends equal in length. Slide both ends through a crimp bead and slide the crimp bead down to the clasp. Use your Crimping pliers to close the crimp bead. (If you need a refresher on this, check out my “Back to Basics: Crimping!” blog)

2) Slide (1) 4mm Swarovski Crystal bicone onto both strands of wire, going the same direction through the hole of the bead. Slide the bead down to your clasp.

3) Slide a crystal onto each wire. Then, take a 3rd crystal and criss-cross both wires through it, going opposite directions through the hole of the bead. Pull down tight to your clasp area, pulling both wires out to opposite sides. (If you want to see this technique in motion, check out my video tutorial on the Eureka Crystal Beads YouTube channel!)

4) Repeat step 3 as many times as needed until you’ve reached the desired length for your wrist.

5) Slide both wires, in the same direction, through a crimp bead and then feed both wires through the middle loop of the second half of your clasp. Then, feed both wires back down through your crimp bead. Carefully pull this all tight and then use your Crimping pliers on your crimp bead. Snip off any excess wire.

Next we’ll be using our pearls and seed beads…

6) Take a new piece of Soft Flex, approximately 18″ long. String one of the outer loops of your clasp to the center of your wire to create 2 wire ends equal in length. Slide both ends through a crimp bead and slide the crimp bead down to the clasp. Use your Crimping pliers to close the crimp bead.

7) On the first line, string (3) seed beads (I used my silver color) and then a 6mm pearl. Repeat: (1) seed bead then (1) pearl until you’ve reached your desired length. End with another group of (3) seed beads.

8) On the second line, string a straight line of seed beads (I used my dark matte colored seed bead here)

9) Slide both wires, in the same direction, through a crimp bead and then feed both wires through the corresponding loop of the second half of your clasp. Then, feed both wires back down through your crimp bead. Carefully pull this all tight and then use your Crimping pliers on your crimp bead. Snip off any excess wire.

10) Take a new piece of Soft Flex, approximately 18″ long. String the other outer loop of your clasp to the center of your wire to create 2 wire ends equal in length. Slide both ends through a crimp bead and slide the crimp bead down to the clasp. Use your Crimping pliers to close the crimp bead.

11) On these 2 lines, string a straight line of seed beads. I used my silver color again, and then used my medium purple color for the other one.

12) Crimp to the other side in the same fashion we’ve been doing in previous steps 5 & 9.

You’re all done!!! Enjoy your fabulous Lavishly Layered bracelet and all the compliment you’re sure to receive!

Have fun playing around with the design. Here are some ideas!

• Try using a second bicone color for the crystals you pass through in the opposite direction (step 3).
• Try making the pearl size smaller or larger, or alternate the sizes in some way!
• For a fuller look, string on more piece of soft flex (in the same fashion – 1 longer piece to create 2 shorter pieces to work with) and add more strung seed beads.
• Use a palette similar to mine that is subtle and monochromatic OR try something fun and vibrant using colors that contrast more! (Like Turquoise and Corals… or Pinks and Black…!!)

If you make one of these bracelets, I would love to see it!! You can always post to our Facebook page! 🙂

Did you like this project? Let me know below in a comment, I always love hearing your feedback.

Until next time friends!

-Leah