You will need:
Beading thread (about 2 arm spans)
Beading needle.
About 20 – 25 size 10 or 8mm beads (or double the quantity if using smaller beads such as 2-6 mm beads)
A pack of seed beads to match or contrast your larger beads.
A beading mat.
A small amount of French wire (this is used to protect the thread at the clasp).
A Clasp of your choice.
A different coloured bead to use as a stop bead which you fix at the end of the thread, leaving approx the width of your beading mat at one side of the stop bead. This is to fix on the clasp.
Instructions
1. With the stop bead at the end, thread a beading needle and put the most of the thread through leaving a considerable amount as double. MAKE SURE THAT AS YOU WORK YOU ONLY HAVE A SINGLE THREAD GOING THROUGH THE BEADS. Adjust your thread throughout the process as you go.
2. Thread 2 large beads and pull the thread gently to put the beads next to the stop bead. Pick up 5 seed beads a small bead and 5 more seed beads.
3. Thread your needle through the two large beads from the bottom (the side with the stop bead) to the top and gently put the thread, this will result with a semi-circle which connects with the top of the top bead and the bottom of the bottom bead. DO NOT PUT THE THREAD THROUGH THE STOP BEAD.
4. Now repeat this by adding 5 seed beads 1 small bead and 5 more seed beads. Again put your needle in the bottom of the two large beads and thread it through the two large beads. Pull gently and you will then have a second semi-circle. Be careful not to put your thread through the seed bead at the top of the large bead.
This is the technique. When you place this on your mat you should have a semi-circle at either side of the large beads.
5. Now add a large bead, 5 seed beads a small bead and 5 more seed beads to your thread and pull gently. They will rest on the top of your first two large beads.
6. Counting the new large bead as the top bead, put your needle through the bottom of the second large bead and then through the bottom of the new large bead and pull gently.
So again you will have a semi-circle of seed beads connecting two of the large beads.
You must make sure the second row of semi-circles lays on top of the previous semi-circles.
7. Add 5 seed beads, a small bead and 5 more seed beads and again thread through the two large beads, pull gently and you will now have the second set of beads complete. You should have 3 large beads and 4 semi-circles of seed beads.
It is now only a matter of repeating this until you have enough length of beads for your wrist (remember that you will be attaching a clasp).
Instructions for attaching the Clasp.
1. Add a small bead and a seed bead, cut a piece of the French wire, about 1 cm the thread this on.
2. Now add one half of your clasp and thread back through the seed bead and small bead and pull gently, the clasp should now be located half way up the French wire.
3. To fix off the thread you should repeat the following at least 3 times.
Now between the small bead and your final large bead you should be able to see your thread, put your needle under this and as you draw the thread through a loop of thread will be formed. Before you pull this completely through put your needle through the loop and pull gently. This should create a knot very close to the beads.
4. Now thread through the bead nearest the knot you just made and the next large bead and repeat making the knot. Working your way back down the bracelet. When you are happy with that you can trim off the remaining thread.
5. Now to the other end.
6. Remove the stop bead and thread your needle and repeat the above. Add a small bead and a seed bead etc.
7. Sew in your ends the same as before and trim off the excess thread, now you can enjoy wearing or gifting your bracelet.
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