We’ve always been tuned into the latest color trends, so when Pantone announced their 2021 Color of the Year, we were ecstatic! And this year, they selected two colors, creating a modern combination we absolutely love: Illuminating (a vibrant yellow) and Ultimate Gray. This optimistic color pairing spoke to us, and we couldn’t wait to incorporate it into a playful piece of jewelry!
For each strand, we created a color-blocked pattern with Delica seed beads, featuring one color in the center. Then we simply swapped the color pattern for the second strand. Easy-peasy!
How To Make A Dainty Double Strand Beaded Bracelet
Materials
Miyuki Delica seed beads, size 11/0: yellow, gray, silver, and gold
Crystal charm, 4mm, silver
19-strand bead-stringing wire, silver color
2 Clamshell bead tips with closed loops, silver
4 Crimp beads, size #1, silver
3 Jump rings, 4mm, silver
1 Lobster clasp, 10mm, silver
1¼” piece of open loop chain, silver
Tools
Chain-nose pliers
Round-nose pliers
Wire cutters
Ruler
Optional: Bead Bug or masking tape
Steps
1. To get started, cut a 9″ piece of bead-stringing wire. Place a Bead Bug on one end to keep the beads from sliding off. If you don’t have a Bead Bug, simply fold a piece of masking tape over one end of the wire.
2. Now you’re ready to bead! For the first strand, create a color-blocked pattern featuring yellow Delica seed beads in the center accented by gray Delicas with a few silver Delicas mixed in. To do this, start by feeding about 2½” of Delica seed beads onto the bead-stringing wire in a random pattern.
3. Then feed on 1¼” of the yellow Delicas. To make quick work of this, pour a bunch of seed beads in each color into the palm of your hand. Then use the end of the bead-stringing wire to “fish” each bead onto the wire. It ends up going fast!
4. After you’ve beaded the center yellow section, mirror the pattern you created on the other side of the bracelet. Add another Bead Bug or piece of tape to the end of the bead-stringing wire and test the length on your wrist. To make the bracelet longer, add more beads to each side, in a mirrored pattern.
5. Remove one of the Bead Bugs or tape and feed the end of the bead-stringing wire up through the hole in the bottom of a clamshell bead tip. Then slide on a crimp bead and flatten it onto the wire using chain-nose pliers. Trim the wire next to the flattened crimp with wire cutters. Do not press the clamshell closed yet!
6. Remove the Bead Bug from the other end and slide all the beads down toward that end. Feed that end of wire up through the bottom of a clamshell bead tip, followed by a crimp bead. Slide both down the wire next to the beads, removing any slack. Use the chain-nose pliers to reach in the clamshell and flatten the crimp onto the wire. Trim the end of the wire. Again, wait to press the clamshell closed and set this beaded strand aside.
7. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to bead the second strand of the bracelet. For this strand, invert the colors in the pattern so the gray Delicas are featured in the center. For added interest, try using gold Delicas in the pattern where you had silver in the first strand.
8. To add this strand to the bracelet, remove one of the Bead Bugs and slide the end of the wire up through the bottom of the clamshell next to the first strand. Slide a crimp bead onto the wire and flatten it with chain-nose pliers. Trim the end of the wire next to the crimp. Slide the clamshell bead tip up over the two crimp beads so the crimps are cupped inside the clamshell. Then gently press the clamshell closed over the flattened crimps with chain-nose pliers.
9. Remove the Bead Bug at the other end and feed the wire up through the other clamshell bead tip next to the first strand. Then slide all the beads down to the finished end and flatten the crimp inside the clamshell. Trim the end of the wire next to the crimp and press the clamshell closed over the two crimp beads.
10. Open a jump ring using two pliers. To do this, rotate one set of pliers up and the other down to open while maintaining its round shape. Feed the jump ring through the loop on the clamshell bead tip. Then feed the lobster clasp into the open jump ring. Rotate the jump ring closed using the two-pliers method.
11. To add the chain to the other end, open a jump ring using two pliers and feed it through the loop on the clamshell bead tip. Feed the open jump ring through the last link of chain. Close the jump ring.
12. Finally, add the crystal charm to the end of the chain with the last jump ring.
Isn’t that a fun bracelet?! We love the modern look of the color-blocked pattern, and that warm gray really makes the vibrant yellow pop! Have you beaded using Delica seed beads before? What have you made? Write in and let us know––we love hearing from you!
Happy Crafting,
Jennifer & Kitty
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