Are you an experienced beader/designer, or are your venturing for the first time into the wonderful, colorful world of beads? Either way, The Beaded Giraffe is your "beading place" in Bethesda.
Bone beads and leather cord combine for a casual bracelet.
Bone beads and leather cord combine for a casual bracelet that says: "I'm willing to explore my feminine side - from a distance." You can vary the amount of color and detail in the bracelet with your choice of beads, cord, and
thread. It all depends on the comfort zone of the wearer.
Supply List
26-30 medium oval horn beads, approximately 6 x 13mm (Fire Mountain Gems, 1-800-355-2137,
firemountaingems.com)
1 yd. (.9m) leather cord, 1-2mm diameter
3-4 yd. (2.7-3.7m) beading thread
wire cutters
sewing or beading needle
Tip
Red beading thread was used in the
step-by-step photos to make the
process clearer, even though black
thread was used to make the original
bracelet dramatic. If you like the splash
of color, stick with the red - or use any
other bright shade. Beading thread is
available by the spool at most retailers.
Determine the finished length of the bracelet. Measure the
circumference of the wrist and add 2½ in. (6.4cm). (My bracelets are
9½ in./24.1cm.) Double that measurement, add 6 in. (15cm), and cut a
piece of leather cord to that length. Center a bead on the cord and tie
two overhand knots (Basics).
Thread a beading needle with 2 yd. (1.8m) of beading thread. Tie the end of the
thread onto the cord near the second overhand knot. Trim the excess thread.
Position a bead vertically between
the two pieces of cord. Bring the
thread around the cord and through the
bead four times.
Place a second bead next to the
fi rst. Bring the thread around the
cord and through the second bead four
times. Repeat until the beaded cord is
within 3½ in. (8.9cm) of the desired
length.
To tie off the thread, pass the needle between the thread and leather cord on
one side of the last bead. Pull the thread so that a small loop is formed. Pass
the needle back through the loop and tighten the thread. Repeat. Cut the thread
¼ in. (6mm) from the knot and tuck the end into the bead.
Tie two overhand knots. Tie two more overhand knots approximately ½ in.
(1.3cm) from the previous knots. Tie the two cords together approximately ½ in.
(1.3cm) from the second set of knots. Trim the cord, leaving a 1-in. (2.5cm) tail.
Are you an experienced beader/designer, or are your venturing for the first time into the wonderful, colorful world of beads? Either way, The Beaded Giraffe is your "beading place" in Bethesda.
Determine the finished length of the bracelet. Measure the
circumference of the wrist and add 2½ in. (6.4cm). (My bracelets are
9½ in./24.1cm.) Double that measurement, add 6 in. (15cm), and cut a
piece of leather cord to that length. Center a bead on the cord and tie
two overhand knots (Basics).
Thread a beading needle with 2 yd. (1.8m) of beading thread. Tie the end of the
thread onto the cord near the second overhand knot. Trim the excess thread.
Position a bead vertically between
the two pieces of cord. Bring the
thread around the cord and through the
bead four times.
Place a second bead next to the
fi rst. Bring the thread around the
cord and through the second bead four
times. Repeat until the beaded cord is
within 3½ in. (8.9cm) of the desired
length.
To tie off the thread, pass the needle between the thread and leather cord on
one side of the last bead. Pull the thread so that a small loop is formed. Pass
the needle back through the loop and tighten the thread. Repeat. Cut the thread
¼ in. (6mm) from the knot and tuck the end into the bead.
Tie two overhand knots. Tie two more overhand knots approximately ½ in.
(1.3cm) from the previous knots. Tie the two cords together approximately ½ in.
(1.3cm) from the second set of knots. Trim the cord, leaving a 1-in. (2.5cm) tail.