Beaded Bracelet

Beaded bracelets never go out of fashion and if you are a beginner itching to learn how to construct one you are in the right place.

This introduction will be one of your first two basic jewelry making classes that will get you started . We'll cover jewelry making supplies and the basic jewelers tools you will need to have on hand.

Pictured here is a typical bracelet design that we offer the beading for beginners classes.

All wrists vary in sizes therefore bracelet sizes will vary as well.

Let's look at that now.

Bracelet Sizes

Since all bracelets vary in size here is a quick reference chart to help you with determining sizing for whichever type of bracelet you decide to make for future projects.

For this project though it has been pre-determined for you. 

  • Children average 5" - 6 1/2"
  • Women size average 7" - 8 1/2"
  • Men average 8" - 9"
  • Anklets average 9" - 10"

Now how many supplies are needed for each of these sizes you may be wondering. Well I am currently preparing another quick reference chart to help you determine the amount of supplies you will need for your projects. That will be coming soon...

But until I have it done let's look at the supplies you will need just for your first beaded bracelet below.

  • 20 - 8mm Decorative Beads
  • 40 - Sterling Silver Plated Spacer Beads
  • 12" strand of Soft Flex Beading Wire,
  • 2 - Crimp Beads, sterling silver 2mm x 1mm tubes
  • 2 - Seed Beads, clear size 6
  • 1 - Clasp of your choice. [the clasp chosen for this design is a toggle]

You can find all of these supplies at your local hobby craft stores or even the big box stores are now carrying beading supplies as well.

Or for your convenience and ease of shopping for these supplies I will be offering my projects as kits, but that is down the road just a bit. If you might be interested in hearing more be sure to sign up for the 'Bead At Home' newsletter and I'll keep you posted when they become available.

In the meantime you will need to find your supplies according to this list.

Okay now let's look at which tools you will be using.

A beaded bracelet only needs 2 of the 3 tools discussed there.

Chain Nose Pliers

Wire Cutters

We will delve into the tools needed to complete the basic bracelet.

You will see in the 'how to' tutorial just how each tool is used.

In addition to the 2 pliers you will also need either a beading mat or bead board or some sort of cloth to lay your beads on. This will prevent them from rolling on the floor.

A ruler will also be needed to measure your beading wire plus a small clip to temporarily close one end of your soft flexible beading wire.

Beading Tip:

When measuring the beading wire you may use your beading mat or beadboard to save on tools.

Some beading mats measure 12" across and there are measurements on the bead board as well.

Once you have all of your tools and supplies or bead kit together then you are ready to begin assembling your bracelet learning each process step by step.

The following instructions on the next page are just the fundamental steps to constructing a beaded bracelet. 

When designing jewelry pre-planning your bracelet design will determine your outcome of the right fit. Part of the pre-planning includes

  • determining the size of the beads in your design
  • which style clasp you will be using
  • the pattern of the piece of jewelry

All of these must be taken into consideration when collecting your jewelry making supplies for your beading project.

That is another conversation though and will be covered further on.

All examples used in these instructions have already been worked out for the correct fitting any wrist by adding or deleting beads.


Let's Get Beading...your first beaded bracelet.