Bracelet with Swarovski Crystal Beads and Spacer Bars and Seed Beads

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Bracelet with Swarovski Crystal Beads and Spacer Bars and Seed Beads

Design Idea C70H

Harlequin Fantasy Bracelet

-- Designer --

Tom Triplett, Content Development Manager, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®

To learn more about Tom Triplett, read his jewelry artist success story here

: : : Materials : : :

Bead, Swarovski crystal, crystal AB, 4mm Xilion bicone (48 beads)

Bead, Swarovski crystal, jet AB, 4mm Xilion bicone (68 beads)

Seed bead, Delica, glass, satin matte rhodium-plated, #11 round

Spacer bar, Swarovski crystal and silver-plated brass, crystal clear, silver-foil back, 8x6mm double-drilled single-stone oval (9 spacer bars)

Spacer bar, Swarovski crystal and silver-plated brass, jet, 8x6mm double-drilled single-stone oval (8 spacer bars)

Clasp, box, sterling silver, 8x8mm fancy square (1 clasp)

Thread, Berkley FireLine, crystal, 0.15mm diameter, 6-pound test

Adhesive, G-S Hypo cement

Wire nipper, Acculon

Needle, Wide-Eye Needle, stainless steel, 2-1/4 inches long

FiberFuse, thread burner

End of Materials List

Step 1

Using Acculon® wire nippers, cut 2 yards of 6-pound test FireLine® thread.

Step 2

Thread one Wide-Eye Needle™ onto each end of the thread.

Step 3

Thread one needle through the first set of holes on one side of a crystal Swarovski single stone component. Place the single stone component in the center of the FireLine thread between the two needles.

Step 4

Using one needle, string the following pattern (creating an alternating pattern of seed beads and bicone beads): one seed bead, one 4mm Swarovski jet bicone one seed bead, one bicone, one seed bead, one bicone and one seed bead. Repeat this step with the same bead pattern on the opposite side thread.

Note: For best results, the bicones should be the contrasting color from the color of the single stone component. This is what provides the harlequin design.

Step 5

Pass the needle through the second set of holes on the single stone component creating a triangle shape design on the side of the component. Repeat using the other needle on the opposite side of the component. Be careful not to re-thread through any other beads when coming out of the single stone component.

Step 6

Thread three seed beads onto each thread.

Step 7

Thread both ends of the FireLine through the first set of holes on opposite sides of a jet color single stone component. This will create a loop, which attaches the second single stone component to the first.

Step 8

Repeat Step 4, using crystal AB colored bicones.

Step 9

Repeat Steps 5 - 7, passing the strands through the opposite holes of the single stone component. Continue to repeat Steps 4 - 7, alternating the colors of the single stone components and 4mm bicone crystals.

Note: Each single stone component added to the bracelet will add about 1/2 inch in length to the bracelet. The endings and the clasp will add an additional 1-1/2 inches to the total length as well. Plan to use 9 single stone component rows to end up with approximately a 7-1/2 inch bracelet. (These lengths are approximate so it's always best to measure as you continue to assemble the bracelet.)

Step 10

After the final single stone component has been added to achieve the desired length, string onto the first strand: one seed bead, one jet 4mm bicone crystal, one seed bead, one jet bicone and one seed bead. Repeat the pattern on the second strand.

Step 11

		On each side, pass the strand through the last parallel bicone creating a triangle-shape loop. Then thread up through the first seed bead and bicone just added on each side.
		Each strand should be coming out of the bicone on each side.

Step 12

Add one seed bead to each strand. Add a bicone to one thread then pass the other thread through in the opposite direction, crossing the thread in the bicone.

Step 13

String onto each strand one seed bead, one jet bicone and one seed bead.

Step 14

Pass the strands through the jumpring attached to one side of the clasp, crossing the strands in the ring.

Step 15

Weave the strands back down both sides of the bracelet until there is a thread coming out of the first outside bicone facing away from the clasp just added. Be careful to not skip holes when weaving the threads back down through the bracelet.

Step 16

Work down each side of the bracelet one side at a time, until the first strand has gone through the second bicone crystal on the first loop next to first single stone component. Pass the needle through the next seed bead. String two seed beads onto one thread.

Step 17

Pass the first strand through the seed bead between the first and second crystal on the row next to the second single stone component. String two more seed beads onto the thread.

Step 18

Pass the strand back through the first seed bead and the two seed beads from Step 16, and through the next seed bead from Step 17. This will create a square design with seed beads between the outside bicones.

Step 19

Pass the strand through the next outside bicone crystal on the second single stone component.

Step 20

Repeat Steps 15 - 18 using the first strand until you have worked down the entire length of the bracelet.

Step 21

Repeat Steps 15 - 18 using the second strand on the second side of the bracelet until you have worked down the entire length of the bracelet.

Step 22

Weave the threads on both sides in towards the last single stone component until the threads are coming out opposite sides of the component.

Step 23

Repeat Steps 10 - 15 to attach the bracelet to the second portion of the clasp.

Step 24

Tie the threads off on each side of the bracelet using a surgeon's knot.

Pull the knots tight, add a drop of quick drying glue, and pull the knot into a crystal bead until it cannot be seen. Let glue cure according to the manufacturer's instructions. Trim any excess thread using Acculon wire nippers.

: : : Additional Resources : : :

''Knots Tutorial'' how-to video and illustrated instructions

''Glues'' how-to video and instructions

End of Additional Resources

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