Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Metal Tube Bracelet Tutorial + a Giveaway





















I've loved the idea of long tube bead bracelets for a long time, but I haven't found one in stores any where - so I decided to make my own! I played around with the method of making these, and came up with this easy tutorial. If you'd rather just win one, there's a giveaway at the end!






Supplies

Leather band
Jump Rings
Lobster Claw Clasp
Tube Beads (from Amazon)
Pliers
Wrap the leather cord around your wrist to see how many tubes you'll be able to fit. I had 9 beads, and enough band for 7 of them. I wanted a little extra on both sides just in case.
Tie off 1 end, and add a tube bead.
Consider the knot on the left your closure. Wrap it around your wrist, and then tie a loop knot on the other end, so the two ends (the knot on the left, and the loop on the right) are around 2 centimeters apart. This loop knot is not the final knot, so don't pull too tight. 
Add another tube bead, and tie a loop knot so that the 2 loops around 2 centimeters apart.
Do this back and forth, making sure the lengths remain even.
 You'll want an open end on either side of the bracelet.
Take your loop knots from one end,
 and remove the knots.
Now use the three loops and the open string, and tie it into one loop knot.
Open the loop knots on the other end and then allow the beads to fall into a cleaner pattern. Tie a loop knot on the other end. Cut off the remaining cord on either end.
Take a jump ring and open it just enough to loop it into the leather loops. I double up the jump rings as extra security.
 Add the clasp.
Add as many jump rings on the other end as you need so that the bracelet fits.
Wear alone or with your favorite watch and bracelets.





You guys know how much I love crafting, and to show you how much I appreciate your support, I'm holding a giveaway so you can win one of these bracelets - your choice of gold or silver. This is open internationally! Please use Rafflecopter to enter below.






a Rafflecopter giveaway