 |
Baby BraceletTutorial
Baby Bracelet Tutorial
 Step 1 - Choose the pattern, beads and findings you want for your bracelet.
Findings are the small parts that hold the bracelet together. You'll understand better as we move along.
I have decided to make the Baby Christening Bracelet here, so I selected my crystals, pearls, bali style daisy spacers, and clasp. I also have the findings, jump rings, crimp beads, head pin and wire.
Jump rings are the small round pieces, crimp beads are the teeny tiny specks of silver, the head pin is the long needle looking thing, and the wire is wrapped around all of them.
I you have any questions once you've finished this tutorial, please feel free to contact me. I appreciate your comments and suggestions. I wish I was able to provide a fancy tutorial like you see out there, but that's not my area of expertise. *lol* Maybe someday.
 Step 2 - Make sure you have your work area and tools handy. You'll need a well lighted area with a mat of some sort. The mat will help to keep your beads from rolling all over.
You also need the following tools, left to right.
Nippers. These are used to cut the wire when needed.
Needle nose pliers. These MUST have a smooth inside edge so the sterling silver does not get marred.
Crimping pliers. These are used to crimp the crimp beads together so the bracelet doesn't come apart.
Round nose pliers. These are used for several things, but most important to obtain a loop on the end of the head pin. Most of these tools can be found at Walmart.
This may sound very confusing at this point. But have hope. I think it will become more clear with each step.
 Step 3 - Start stringing your beads. It's important that you already have your pattern in mind.
The pattern for this bracelet is pearl, daisy spacer, crystal, daisy spacer, pearl and so on.
Check your work along the way to make sure the pattern is accurate. If you don't, you may have to start all over. Believe me, I know. :)
Continue stringing the beads until you reach 1/2 inch LESS than you want the full length bracelet to be. This allows room for the clasp.
Before moving forward, check your pattern one final time. I find the best way to do this is to fold the bracelet in half, so you can compare to see that each bead matches on both sides. This step is very important because you will now begin attaching the clasp. You will be wasting materials if you have to start over after this next step.
 Step 4 -Here is a picture of the full length of beads. Look at it real close and see if you can find my mistake.
Yep, I have two pearls with a daisy spacer at one point, instead of the crystal, daisy spacer, pearl pattern.
It is really easy, at least for me, to make a mistake like this. You wouldn't believe how many bracelets I've taken completely apart and restrung. :)
 Step 5 - Now we're going to put the baby bracelet together by using the "findings" we talked about earlier, as well as the tools.
At the end of the string of beads, slip on a crimp bead. See picture.
Next, slip on the clasp. There will be a small loop attached to the clasp. The wire goes through the loop.
**If you are working with a length of wire not attached to the spool, you'll need to clip something to the starting end so your beads don't fall off. You can use a piece of tape if you like.
Make sure you have plenty of wire at the end to work with. I would say at least 2 to 3 inches.
As you'll see in the next step, you'll need this wire to wrap back through the crimp bead.
 Step 6 - Take the wire you've just strung through the crimp bead and clasp, and bring it back through the crimp bead. See picture.
This is how the clasp will be attached to the bracelet.
As you will see in step number 7, you pull the wire so that the crimp bead is snug up against the clasp.
But first I want to get you a little familiar with the crimping tool.
 Step 7 - And here it is. As you can see in the picture, there are 2 little grooves on the left side of the crimping tool and 3 on the right side of the crimping tool.
You start by wrapping the crimp tool around the crimp bead with the BOTTOM groove. This will flatten the crimp bead AND put a little crease in it.
Don't squeeze to hard because sterling silver is a rather soft material. Just squeeze like you would it you were giving someone a nice firm hand shake.
 Step 8 - This is what the crimp bead will look like after you have squeezed it with the bottom groove of the crimp tool.You can see a small crease in the middle of the bead.If you prefer not to purchase the crimp tool and/or use this more advanced step, you can also take your needle nose pliers with the smooth insides, and simply squeeze the bead flat.If you use this method, make sure you squeeze VERY hard because this is what will hold the crimp bead tight around the wire, thus keeping the wire from coming undone.If possible, use the crimping tool. You'll get a much better hold on the wire and your baby bracelet will be stronger.
 Step 9 - After this first crimp, keeping the bead in the tool, roll 45 degrees (one small roll) and move bead to the top groove.Making sure the bead is centered in the top groove, squeeze the tool closed, flattening the bead.
You can see here the nice finish you get along with a secure grip on the wire.
 Step 10 - With your nippers, cut off the loose end of the wire, as close to the crimp bead as possible. Don't clip the wire the beads are on, just the loose one.
Try to clip it RIGHT next to the bead. The bracelet beads will push right up to the crimp bead, so the closer you can get, the nicer the bracelet will lay.
This tool is probably the most expensive one, because of how sharp it needs to be. However, for your first time, I suggest you do not buy the most expensive tools.
Fortunately, the tools needed to make a baby bracelet like this, are very reasonably priced. And I believe you can find them at Walmart or any online bead supply shop.
 Step 11 - Once you have your loose wire cut, push your beads up to the clasp area.
The beads should push clear up to the crimp bead, covering the wire completely.
In this picture, I have left the beads back a little so you can get a better idea. But you will simply slide the beads towards the clasp.
At this point, you're finish with this end of the baby bracelet. Now you turn the bracelet so you have the other end in front of you; ready to do the same thing again.
 Step 12 - Here is the other end of the bracelet. If your wire is attached to a spool, cut the wire leaving at least 3 inches.
Now slip on the crimp bead first, followed by the jump ring. The jump ring is the part of the baby bracelet that the clasp hooks onto.
Follow the above steps 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. But before you crimp your crimp bead, pull the wire until the beads are right up againt the crimp bead. You may need to work the bead a little to get the beads up against it.
Now, before you crimp, take your baby bracelet and put it in a circle, like you would if you were putting in on a baby.
If it feels real tight, loosen the crimp bead, just a little. You want the bracelet to have movement, but you don't want the wire showing more than it has to, to fit properly. Once you're comfortable with the tension, crimp the crimp bead.
 Step 13 - Attach the clasp to the jump ring and there you have it. A wonderful family heirloom. One that you made by yourself.
You can use these steps to create any similar baby bracelet in any combination of colors and/or beads of your choice.
Sometimes, when making your first baby bracelet, it's easier to start with a kit. It can get expensive having to buy certain quatities, a whole spool of wire or paying shipping if you buy online.
To help make it easy and fun, I have made up bracelet kits for you.
These kits will include everything, except the tools, that you will need to make a 6 inch baby bracelet. They will also include extra beads in case you lose or break one.
You can also select the colors of the crystals and choose between pink or white for the pearls.
If you decide you want to add a charm or growth chain, simple purchase them in addition to your kit. I will make myself available via email to help in any way I can.
Next tutorial with be how to make a crystal dangle.
|
 |
