Gold and Silver Awareness Bracelet
About This Design
Time: Approximately 30 minutes - 1 hour
Level of Difficulty: Beginner - All Levels
Cost: Varies, depending on materials selected. Approximately $20-35 as
shown
Show your support and raise awareness for any cause or disease with
elegant gold and silver that goes with anything. This design is perfect
for cancer, heart disease or AIDS awareness, or to remember loved ones
away from home.
Make this
gorgeous gold and silver awareness bracelet and wear it yourself or give it as a loving gift to someone
close. You've seen these bracelets selling for upwards of $100, so
why not make one yourself and save, or sell them at your next jewelry
party? Features genuine sparkling Swarovski crystal beads and
pearls, silver and gold plated filigree beads, and a quality sterling silver clasp,
ribbon, and heart charm.
Want to make this bracelet, or a variation for yourself? Let's get started!
Step 1
Gather your supplies. You can BUY
the complete BRACELET KIT here, or purchase
charms and supplies from your favorite bead store. Here's
what you'll need.
- 3 - Round 8mm Swarovski Crystals in Golden Shadow
- Swarovski crystal pearls, or freshwater pearls (quantity as desired for
proper length of bracelet), I used 12 beads in my design.
- Decorative sterling silver or silver and gold plated beads for accents.
I used 10 beads in my design.
- Length of flexible beading wire like Soft Flex or Beadalon. Enough
for length of bracelet plus a few extra inches to work with.
- 2 crimp beads
- 1 Awareness ribbon charm in sterling silver
- 1 Heart charm in sterling silver
- Optional - 2 crimp bead covers
Need Supplies? Check my Jewelry Supply pages to find what you
need
Step 2
String beads on beading wire
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 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!
If you like my design, string beads in this order (add or remove
pearls on ends to adjust bracelet length):
- 1 pearl bead
- 1 gold filigree bead
- 2 pearls
- 1 silver filigree bead
- 2 pearls
- 1 gold filigree bead
- 1 Crystal Shadow bead
- 1 gold filigree bead
- 1 pearl
- 1 silver filgree bead
- 1 Crystal Shadow bead (center of design)
- Repeat in reverse order
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.
Step 4
Attach charms
You will use your pliers to open the split jump ring on the charms, and attach it to
the end loop of the round clasp. Close the jump ring so the
charms are securely fastened. Follow
the instructions on how to properly open and close jump rings, here.
That's it, your gorgeous new Awareness bracelet is ready to wear or
give as a gift! Enjoy!
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