DIY Anchor Bracelet Tutorial

       Here is another tutorial I found on Joann's Website. I thought it was an interesting bracelet, but again, I wanted to change a few things about it. What is pretty cool about this bracelet is that you don't have to have specific beads for it. You can pretty much work with what you've got. You can also recycle beads or use leftover beads from previous projects.  I hate the fact that the website gives you step- by-step directions but without any visuals. Unfortunately, a lot of people ( like myself ) are strictly visual people and would rather LOOK at step by step directions versus reading them. This is why I wanted to create another visual tutorial. Here is the original design:

The directions said the following:

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Cousin®:
  6mm Metallic Blue Rounds (1 pk)
  4mm Blue Bicone Mix (1 pk)
  Blue Glass Bead Mix (1 pk)
  Silver Metal Anchor Toggle (1 pk)
• Silver crimp tubes (6 pc)
• Silver .45mm 7-strand beading wire (30")
• Needle nose pliers
• Crimping pliers
• Wire cutters

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut (3) 10" lengths of beading wire.
2. Using crimp tubes, attach each wire to a toggle end.
3. Thread 6-1/4" of beads onto each strand. String beads staggering sizes and styles.
4. After each strand has the same overall length with beads, loosely braid the three strands together.
5. Use crimp tubes to attach each wire to the other toggle end.
6. Trim the excess wires.

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My own directions:

Step 1: Gather the beads you would like to use for the bracelet. I used some of my old and left over beads for this bracelet. I also had a small anchor charm which I used as a closure ( the anchor doesn't have to be as big as on the original photo ).

Step 2: Cut 3 12 inch strings ( I used standard beading silk thread ). You can use wire or thread - it is up to you. 

Step 3: Put a stopper bead on one of the strings before you begin your work. 

Step 4: Start putting your beads on the first string. I suggest using some sort of pattern. I did try to use "random" beads in the beginning, but it just did not look right.

Step 5: Repeat step 3 and 4 with the other 2 threads. You can follow the same pattern, or create a different one for each string ( like I did ). 

Please remember to put a stopper bead at the end of each thread, just like you did in the beginning. 

Step 6: Take all 3 threads and go through the needles eye with all 3 threads. Make sure your project is aligned and all strands are at the same place / location.  

Step 7: Take 15 - 25 seed beads and put them onto the needle. Pull through the first seed bead in order to make a closing loop. The reason why I say to take 15 - 25 seed beads is because you want to create a loop big / small enough for your anchor. 

Step 8: After you have pulled through the 1st seed beads, tie your strings into 2-3 knots, secure the thread with crazy glue / cement and cut off the strings. 

Step 9: Pull up your beads strands so that they are tightly placed against your loop. 

Step 10: Pull the other 3 threads through the needles's eye. 

Step 11: Attach your anchor and pull through one of the white bead stopper beads. 

Step 12: Secure your thread by tying  3 knots right after the stopped bead. Use some crazy glue / cement to secure the thread and cut the remaining thread off. 

And here we have it !

Check back soon for more tutorials and other useful information about handcrafted goodies !!

DIY Stretch 3 Layer Bracelet Tutorial

      I discovered Joann's store pretty recently, when my co-worker mentioned that they offered 15% teachers discount on your total purchase. I checked it out. And, I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. Their bead selection wasn't a top notch one, but they had unique bead strands and 30% off sale on all of their beads ( big plus in my book ). They also offered a variety of discounted jewelry organizers and tons of supplies for creating wire wrapped jewelry ( one of my latest obsessions ). What I really liked is that they had awesome buttons. Vintage metal ones and plastic ones and whatever you wanted ( which I am crazy about for my leather wrap bracelets ). I bought a bunch of stuff for a very reasonable price and, like a kid in a candy store, got to work when I got home. Recently I was browsing their website and stumbled upon "Craft Ideas" section. They had 800 results from DIY jewelry projects. I browsed through them and found one that I wanted to try to make at home.

The project was called "Denim Blue Stretch Bracelet"  and it looked like this:

The directions said the following:

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Cousin®:
  Dark Blue Bead Mix (3 pk)
  8mm Matte Blue Beads (1 pk)
  8mm Blue Pearls (1 pk)
  Silver/Crystal 3-Strand Spacer (1 pk)
• .8mm clear stretch cord (48')
• Wire cutters

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut (3) 12' lengths of stretch cord.
2. Thread the following pattern onto each cord: (8) dark blue beads, through the hole of a 3-strand spacer, (8) matte blue beads, through the hole of a 3-strand spacer, (8) blue pearls and through the hole of a 3-strand spacer.
3. Tie each cord in a double knot and trim the excess. The knots should be hidden against the 3-strand spacer.
4. Cut a 12' length of stretch cord.
5. Thread on (6) blue pearls, (6) matte blue beads, (6) dark blue beads and (6) matte blue beads.
6. Tie the cord into a double knot and trim the excess.

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After reading the directions, I wanted wasn't too convinced I wanted to use the same exact colors as pictures, so I have decided to make the exact same bracelet, but use different colors. 

Here are the steps:

Step 1: I used stretch magic, pearls, Swarovski Elements 3 hole divider and scissors.

Step 2: Cut 3 12 inch stretch magic cords.

Step 3: Add your first row of beads ( pictured 9 beads ) but I actually ended up using 10. 

Step 4: After you added first 10 beads, add the divider. 

Step 5: Follow steps 3 and 4 until you have 30 beads and 3 dividers.

Step 6: Tie the stretch magic on double sailor's knot. ** See Below **

Step 7: Cut the remaining of the stretch magic off. 

Step 8: Add the second row of beads in a similar manner as steps 3, 4, 5

Step 9: Tie the ends of the strench magic together. ( Refer to the picture )

Step 10: Cut the remaining stretch magic off. 

Step 11: Add final, third row in a similar manner as the previous two. 

Step 12: Your bracelet is ready to wear !

This design was very easy to make and required very minimal effort and supplies. This is definitely a beginner bracelet, but despite its simplicity, it looks classic and well put together. It took me 23 minutes to put together and here is the final outcome:

Check back soon for more tutorials and beading articles !