Blue Crystal Bracelet

About This Design

Time:  Approximately  30 minutes - 1 hour

Level of Difficulty:  Beginner - All Levels

Cost: Varies, depending on materials selected.  Approximately $20-30 as shown 

This beautiful bracelet reminds me of cool water.  This bracelet takes advantage of sparking Swarovski crystal beads in daisy flower and cube shape attached as "charms".  Then, I mixed in three variations of inexpensive glass crystal beads, and added a nice toggle clasp.

Want to make this bracelet, or a variation for yourself?  Let's get started!

Step 1

Gather your supplies

• 2 Swarovksi crystal cube beads (choice of size and color). Swarovski Crystal Cube Beads on eBay.  I used 8mm sapphire.
• 3 Swarovski crystal daisy flower beads. Swarovski Crystal Daisy Flower Beads on eBay. 
• 8 Swarovski crystal bicone beads (4mm). Swarovski Crystal Bicone Beads on eBay
• 10 headpins
• 2 crimp beads
• Two different sizes of blue colored glass crystal beads (enough for length of bracelet minus clasp).  I select two strands (10mm blue, and 6mm aqua round faceted glass beads).  TIP - If you buy a whole strand of each color, you'll save money and will have plenty of beads left over for more designs.
• Length of flexible beading wire to fit the desired bracelet length, plus a couple extra inches to work with.
• 1 toggle clasp of choice (I used a fancy sterling silver leaf)

Need Supplies?  Check my Jewelry Supply pages to find what you need!

Step 2

Make bead charms and string beads on wire

We will prepare all the "charm" beads first, then string all the beads onto the wire

First, prepare the three crystal flower beads.  These are top-drilled beads, so you will need to wire wrap these as you would a briolette bead.   Follow my instructions for wire wrapping a briolette to make a closed loop at the top.  Once you have completed the closed loop on top, attach two small bicone crystal beads to the top loop of your flower bead, using headpins.  Use your round nose pliers to create a basic closed loop.  If you need help learning to make a loop, follow these instructions.   This creates a daisy flower "charm" with two smaller crystals attached to it.

Let's assemble the rest of our "charms".

Slide a crystal cube bead onto a headpin, and make a closed loop at the top.  Repeat for the other crystal cube bead so you have two cube charms.

Slide a bicone crystal bead onto a headpin and make a closed loop at the top. Repeat for a second crystal bead so you have two bicone crystal harms.

Slide a smaller glass crystal bead onto a headpin and make a closed loop at the top. Repeat for a second bead so you have two smaller glass bead charms.

Slide a larger glass crystal bead onto a headpin and make a closed loop at the top.  Repeat for a second bead so you have two larger glass bead charms.

(Note - in photo I had two extra large glass bead charms I ended up not using--you only need two)

Next, let's string the beads! 

Tie a knot on one end of the wire, or place some tape over the end, and string all of your beads onto the wire.    Check the length and overall design and make adjustments by adding, removing, or re-positioning beads until you are happy with the look of the bracelet.  

You can make any design that you like.  Attach all of the bead charms in a spray cluster of several beads.  If you like my design, follow this stringing pattern:

1) One small glass crystal bead

2) One larger glass crystal bead

3) One small glass crystal bead

4) Attach one daisy flower charm

5) One small glass crystal bead

6) One larger glass crystal bead

7) One small glass crystal bead

8) Attach a cluster of bead charms - attach a small then large glass crystal, a cube crystal, and the smaller crystal all in a row.  When the bracelet beads are pulled tight, the beads will fan out into a spray cluster of beads.

9)  One small glass crystal bead

10) One large glass crystal bead

11) One small glass crystal bead

12) Attach one daisy flower charm

13) One small glass crystal bead

14) One larger glass crystal bead

15) One small glass crystal bead

16) Attach a "spray" of bead charms - attach a small then large glass crystal, a cube crystal, and the smaller crystal all in a row.  When the bracelet beads are pulled tight on the wire, the beads will fan out into a spray cluster of beads.

17) One small glass crystal bead

18) One large glass crystal bead

19) One small glass crystal bead

20) Attach one daisy flower charm

21) One small glass crystal bead

22) One larger glass crystal bead

23) One small glass crystal bead

You can do this first on a bead design board if you prefer, but I always like to wrap a bracelet around my wrist just to check the look and fit.  Make sure you account for the added length of the clasp.  I spaced my beads to end up with a bracelet that was 7.5 inches long.

TIP - You can start a bracelet by attaching the clasp to one end first,  However, if you are unclear about your final design or the finished bracelet length, it is best to simply tie a knot or place some tape over the end of the jewelry wire, string your beads, and once you are happy with the design and length, attach the clasps to the ends.  This way, if you find you need to subtract or add beads you can just remove the tape or knot and work from either end without having to cut off your clasp and start the whole thing over!

Step 3 

Crimp ends and attach the clasp

Slide a crimp bead onto the wire, feed the wire through the clasp loop, then back through the crimp bead.  Pull the wire snug, and crimp the bead closed.   Follow the How to Use Crimp Beads instructions if you are not familiar with this technique.  Repeat on other side, making sure you pull the wire tight to beads before crimping.  TIP -  Because this is a toggle clasp, you will want to leave a little "play" in the wire so the clasp is easy to put on, so leave a little room where the loop of wire attaches to the clasp.  Cut off remaining tails of wire with flush cutters.

TIP - As an option, try the new crimp bead covers to hide crimps for an even more finished look.

That's it! Your gorgeous new blue crystal bracelet is ready to wear!

Matching Jewelry Set

This bracelet looks great paired with other blue crystal jewelry.  Try these additional jewelry projects.

Crystal Flower Earrings