We love the beaded wrap bracelet trend! The look has the casual feel of Boho-chic with the glam of real crystals. And you can make them in any colors you like!
The most important step for this bracelet is setting up a sort of loom to work on. We did it with a clip board. Turns out it was easy! Here’s a video we made showing how to make the whole bracelet. Follow along, then use the steps below to make your own. And if you have any questions along the way, just post them in the comments and we’ll reply. We are here to help!
Disclosure: This post has some affiliate links for products we think you’ll like. Even if you don’t want to buy the items online, we think it’s helpful to see what they look like, so you can buy them at your local craft store. If you make a purchase from one of these links, we’ll make a small commission. There is no additional cost to you at all, but it helps us a little so we can pay for our web hosting and the tools and materials we use in these videos and blog posts. All opinions are our own from our own personal experience.
How To Make A Beaded Wrap Bracelet
Tools & Materials
Black leather cord, 1.5mm, 2 yards
Beading thread, 6lb, black or smoke gray (We used Fireline by The BeadSmith – sewing thread isn’t strong enough.)
50 Crystal (clear) faceted round Swarovski crystal beads, 6mm*
25 Provence Lavender faceted round Swarovski crystal beads, 6mm*
25 Tanzanite faceted round Swarovski crystal beads, 6mm*
Shank button (with hole big enough for cord to fit through)
Beading needle (We used Darice Fine Beading Needles for this project, but you could also try a Big Eye Beading Needle, which is easier to thread.)
Bead stringing glue (we used G-S Hypo Cement)
Scissors
Tape measure
Clipboard
Binder clip
1 square of felt, 2”
*the number of beads you’ll need depends on the size of the beads.
Steps
1. Fold the black cord in half and tie a knot ¾” from the folded end to create a loop. Make sure the loop fits snugly over the shank button. Fold a square of felt over the loop to protect it and clip it to the clipboard. Stretch both sides of the cord down the front of the clipboard and secure at the bottom with masking tape.
2. Thread 2 yards of beading thread doubled over for added strength. Tie the end of the thread around the left cord just under the knot at the top. Secure with a double knot and leave the tails to trim later. Feed a Crystal bead onto the thread and slide it down between the 2 sides of the black cord. Pass the needle over the right cord, then under it and back through the bead. Pass the needle over the left cord then under it. (We repeated this step to secure this first bead by feeding the needle back through the bead, up and over the right cord, back through the bead, over the left cord, then under it.)
3. Feed another Crystal bead onto the thread and slide it down until it sits next to the first bead. Pass the needle over the right cord, then under it and back through the bead. Pass the needle over the left cord then under it. Repeat this “figure 8” process until you have 25 Crystal beads on your bracelet.
4. Switch to the Provence Lavender beads and continue attaching the beads to the bracelet as in Step 3. When you reach the last 4” of thread, tie it off on the right cord with a double knot, leaving the tails to trim later. Thread 2 more yards of thread doubled over and tie the end around the left cord, securing with a double knot. Pass the needle through the last bead, up and over the right cord, back through the bead, then up and over the left cord. Slide on the next bead and continue until you have added 25 of the Provence Lavender beads, 25 Tanzanite beads, and 25 more Crystal beads onto the cord. Tie on more thread as needed being sure to secure the ends to the cord with double knots. Move the beaded section of the bracelet up and re-clip it to the clipboard as you work.
5. To secure the end, go back through the last bead twice like you did in Step 2. Tie off the thread with a double knot. Add a dab of glue to each thread knot in the bracelet and let dry. Trim all the tails of thread. Remove the masking tape from the bottom of the clipboard. Take the 2 cords in one hand and tie a knot as close to the last bead as possible. Slide the shank button onto one cord, then tie both cords in another knot. Trim the ends.
We love how versatile this beaded wrap bracelet is. You can make it in any colors you like. Try looking at these beautiful beaded wrap bracelets by Chan Luu for inspiration on colors and stones to use. And you can make a short one that wraps only once. Or you can make it wrap two times or three times or four like we did. If you have any question while you’re working, just leave us a comment. We promise to reply.
Jennifer & Kitty
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We love getting pinned!
Such lovely items. The hardest part is going to be picking the first one! I can’t wait to start.
Thanks Elle!
This is the best instruction I’ve found for making these bracelets – your video is so well done, very clear and easy to see what you’re doing.
Thank you so much Carrie!
When you are threading the bracelet do you have to add thread later? Can’t you just use extra thread?
We found it hard to work with very long pieces of thread. We kept getting tangled! But maybe you’ll be more careful and have better success. Worth a try! J&K
Do you have to use a piece of felt? Does a piece of paper work?
A piece of paper might work fine. We just chose felt because it is soft and cushiony. J&K
Hi, do you use braided fireline thread?
Hi Alysha,
Yes! The Fireline thread we used is also called braided thread.
J&K