I wanted to create a geometric looking bracelet with a lot of contrast, sparkle, and shine. What better combination than onyx and the 3 strand crystal spacer bars to add a little drama to any outfit?
Shanna Steele, Auntie's Beads Designer
Instructions:
1. To begin, cut 3 pieces of beading wire measuring about 10 inches each. String a crimp bead onto each wire. Run each wire through one hole on one side of your 3 strand clasp. Use your Crimper tool to secure the crimp beads.
2. Using your chain nose pliers, pick up a crimp cover. Place the crimp cover on one of the crimp beads. Gently press the crimp bead into place. If necessary, use the outermost groove of your Crimper tool to gently round out and smooth the crimp bead so it is round and is not open.
3. Repeat step 2 on the other 2 crimp beads. Then string a 4mm silver bead on each of your 3 strands.
4. On strand 1 you are going to straight string your onyx beads and your spacer bars. Make sure you string the spacer bars so they are all facing the same direction and you are stringing your wire through the same hole (at the top of the spacer bar). You will want to alternate strand 1 in the following pattern: 1 onyx bead, spacer bar, 3 onyx beads, spacer bar, 1 onyx bead, etc. Repeat that pattern until you have used all 9 of your spacer bars and 20 of your onyx beads. Your strand should start with 1 onyx bead and end with 3 onyx beads. Add a bead stopper when you are done with this strand.
5. On strand 2, string 2 onyx beads. Pass through the middle hole of the spacer bar before stringing 2 more onyx beads. You will continue to do this until you have used 20 onyx beads and passed through all of your spacer bars. You should have 2 onyx beads at the end of the strand when you are finished. Add this strand to the bead stopper.
6. On strand 3, string 3 onyx beads. Run your wire through the bottom hole of the spacer bar before stringing 1 onyx bead. Run your strand through the bottom hole of the next spacer bar before stringing 3 onyx beads. Continue to repeat this pattern until you have gone through all of your spacer bars and have used 20 onyx beads. This strand started with 3 beads and will end with 1 bead. (It is the opposite of strand 1.)
7. On strand 3, add a 4mm silver bead and a crimp bead. Run your wire through one of the holes on the half of the 3 strand clasp you did not use in step 1. (Do make sure your clasp will line up and work properly. You do not want to crimp the clasp so it is upside down or doesn't fit together properly.) Run your wire back down through the crimp bead, through the 4mm bead, and through the last onyx bead strung. Use your Crimper tool to secure the crimp bead. Use your Nipper tool to trim excess wire.
8. Repeat step 7 on strands 1 and 2, removing the bead stopper from just one strand at a time.
9. Repeat step 2 to put your crimp covers over the crimp beads. Your bracelet is ready to wear!
Materials and Tools Needed:
Onyx Round Strand, 6 mm (60 pieces)
Sterling Plate Swarovski Crystal Rondelle 3-Strand Spacer Bar, Crystal (9 pieces)
Sterling Silver Seamless Beads, 4mm, Bag of 25 (6 pieces)
Beadalon 49-strand Wire, 30 ft., .015 (about 30 inches)
Crimp Beads, Bag of 100, 2 x 2 mm (6 pieces)
Sterling Silver Open Bead Crimp Cover, 3.2 mm, Bag of 10 (6 pieces - optional)
Sterling 3-Strand Ribbon Lock Clasp, 20 mm
OR
Sterling Fancy Round Clasp, 3-Strand, 14 mm
OR
3-Strand Slide Lock Clasp
Nipper Tool
Beadsmith Ergo Pliers, Chain Nose With Cutter
Beadalon Designer Bead Crimper
Bead Stopper
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