Bracelet Instructions

To string the beads I used Silver Plated nylon coated wire. I explained at Michael's what I was trying to make and this was their suggestion. I had no trouble with the wire going through any of the bead holes and yet it seemed flexible yet strong. The brand I used was Beadalou, Silver Color, Size M, .018, 15 foot.

I did break down and invest in a crimping tool. I tried to use my husband's pliers and it would catch part of the bracelet I didn't want to crimp...IMHO worth the money.

Now for the other supplies:

A & B were from an assortment at Michael's...Bead Boutique. Not an expensive set but gave me the purple color I wanted to accent the bracelet. (Pink is shown in the picture as I used all I had to make the bracelet.) Need 4 of each kind.

C: Above the clasp and below the cross-Clasp(1 set), Cross-Need 1

D: Silver glass beads. Act as spacers to give some definition to the pearls and other beads.

E: Pearls( not real this time, maybe when she is older:) Need: 10

F: Crimp beads- This is what you put on to keep the wire in place at the end of each side of the bracelet. You use the crimper to "smash" the bead. Need 2

Finally the "silver" alphabet beads: I choose "silver" but they do come in "gold" and white with black letters. The less expensive ones come in packages with all letters mixed. If you are buying real sterling or silver you can purchase the individual letters. I have only seen these online.

Measure desired length plus 3-4 inches. Slide crimp bead then wire through one side of clasp. I prefer to start with the smaller piece as it is easier to handle the larger one at the end. Now thread it back through the crimp bead, push the crimp bead up as close to the clasp as possible and crimp with the crimper. Congratulations, you're on your way to a beautiful gift!

Now thread the beads in order as in photo. Be careful not to release your hold on beads or you will be restringing. Since I began at the smaller end of the clasp I put on one pearl, then the 4 extra links for expansion, pearl(P), silver glass bead(SGB), P, SGB, P, Smaller Lavender(SL), P, SL, Alphabet Letter (AL), Large Lavender(LL), AL, LL, AL, LL, AL, LL, AL, SL, P, SL, P, SGB, P, SGB, P, Cross, P...now here's the final part. Put on a crimp bead, run the wire through the other side of the clasp...loop the wire back through the crimp bead and the pearl. Crimp the crimp bead and cut the remaining wire to end under the pearl. DONE!