CHUNKY MELON CUFF BRACELET TUTORIAL

By Amy Haftkowycz from Trixie's Jewel Box

This project assume a working knowledge of weaving in/tying off thread; attaching a new thread; and opening and closing jump rings.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Materials:

• 8mm Czech Glass Melon Beads (ML8/077 or ML8/074) - (9-10 beads) 
• 6mm Czech Glass Druk Beads (D6/029 or D6/067) - (16-18 beads) 
• 4mm Czech Glass Fire Polished Beads (FP4/032 or FP4/010) - (12-13 beads)
• 6mm x 9mm Roller Bead - 1061/ROL - (1 bead)
• 11^o Seed Beads -T300/R-11-221- (0.5 gram) 
• 15^o Seed Beads - (1 gram)
• 3-Hole Connector Components – (1 pair)
• Shank Button – (1 piece)
• 6mm 18g Jump Ring – (1 piece)
• 1mm waxed cotton cord – (14”)
• Metal Beads with 1mm hole – (6 beads)
• 6lb Fireline Beading Thread
• #10 Beading Needle
• Scissors
• Chain Nose Pliers - (2 pairs) 

©2020 Amy Haftkowycz, All rights reserved. Distributed by Nirvana Beads. This project may be distributed and taught by customers of Nirvana Beads. This document may not be altered in any way without first obtaining written approval from Amy Haftkowycz.

INSTRUCTIONS

Notes:

The 3-hole components and button closure system add approximately 3.5” to the length of the bracelet. Take this into account when determining the length of your beaded section.

Making the Base of the Bracelet (step 1-6)

1- Thread your needle with a comfortable length of Fireline.

2- Use right angle weave to make the base of the bracelet: Pick up one 8mm melon, one 11^o seed bead, one 6mm druk, one 11^o seed bead, one 8mm melon, one 11^o seed bead, one 6mm druk, and one 11^o seed bead.  Slide the beads down the thread, leaving a 3” tail. From the tail end up, pass the needle through all 8 beads a second time (Figure 1; Figure 2). Put the needle down, and then tie three knots with the tail and the working thread; this will pull the beads into a circle (Figure3). Pass the tail through the closest 8mm melon bead and then trim the tail off close to the beadwork. Pass the needle through the same 8mm melon bead.

3- Lay your beadwork so the thread is coming out of the upper right hand corner (Figure 4).

4- Pick up one 11^o seed bead, one 6mm druk, one 11^o seed bead, one 8mm melon, one 11^o seed bead, one 6mm druk, and one 11^o. From bottom to top, pass through the 8mm melon bead that your thread is coming out of (Figure 5). Pull the beads in closely (Figure 6).

5- Work your needle to the end of the beadwork by passing through the 11^o seed bead, 6mm druk, 11^o seed bead, and 8mm melon added in Step 4 (Figure 7).

6- Repeat Steps 3-5 until you have reached your desired length.  NOTE: Seven units (using nine melons and 16 druks) will produce a bracelet that is about 7.25” after the components and button/loop closure have been added.) 

Adding the Netting (step 7-12)

7- Lay your work so the thread is coming out of the upper right hand corner (Figure 8).

8- Pick up four 15^o seed beads, one 4mm fire polished bead, and four 15^o seed beads. From bottom to top, pass through the 8mm melon that is immediately to the left. Pull the thread all the way through, forming a diagonal with the beads picked up in this step. (Figure 9, Figure 10).

9- Repeat Step 8 until you’ve reached the end of the bracelet (Figure 11).

10- Lay your work so the thread is coming out of the lower right hand corner (Figure 12).

11- Pick up four 15^o seed beads. From bottom to top, pass through the 4mm fire polished bead that is immediately to the left. Pull the trhead all the way through (Figure 13; Figure 14). Pick up four 15^o seed beads. From top to bottom, pass through the 8mm melon bead that is immediately to the left. Pull the thread all the way through, completing the “X” pattern. (Figure 15; Figure 16).

12- Repeat Step 11 until you reach the end of the bracelet (Figure 17).

Attaching the Connector Components:

13- I recommend weaving in and tying several knots before adding the connector components. This way, if something goes wrong while attaching the components, you won’t lose the beadwork that you’ve already completed. If your thread is long enough to attach the connector component after tying several knots, there is no need to trim it off. After tying several knots, work your thread so that it is coming out the 8mm melon at the end of the beadwork.

14- Pick up one 11^o seed bead, one 4mm fire polished bead, and two 11^o seed beads.

15- Pass through the corresponding hole in one of the 3-hole connectors (Figure 18). Pull these additions in close to your beadwork, and then pass your needle through the hole of the connector several times, creating loops of thread that will reinforce the connection. Pass back through the last 11^o seed bead picked up in Step 14 (Figure 19); pull the thread all the way through this bead.

16- Pick up one 11^o seed bead, and then pass through the 4mm fire polished bead and the first 11^o seed bead picked up in Step 14 (Figure 20) (Note that you skip over the second 11^o seed bead picked up in Step 14.). Pull the thread all the way through the beads (Figure 21).

17- Pass the needle through the 8mm melon bead, and then repeat Steps 14-16 to attach the beadwork to the second hole of the 3-hole connector component (Figure 22). Weave the thread in, tying several knots. Trim the thread close to the beadwork.

18- Attach a new thread to the other end of the beadwork and then repeated Steps 14-17 to attach the second 3-hole connector (Figure 23).

Attaching the Button-and-Loop Clasp:

19- Using two pairs of chain nose pliers, gently twist open the jump ring. Connect the button to the 3-hole connector with this jump ring, gently twisting it closed (Figure 24).

20- Fold the 1mm cord in half and slide it through the hole in the other 3-hole connector. Tie a knot close to the connector. Slide the roller bead over both cords so that it is close to the knot. Tie a second knot close to the roller bead. Form a button loop by tying a third knot with both cords. Slide three metal beads on each cord, and then tie a knot at the end of each cord. Trim the cord about 1/4” from these knots (Figure 25). Wear and enjoy!!

About Amy Haftkowycz from Trixie's Jewel Box: 

Like many others, my journey into the world of beads began on a fluke: one day, way back in 1995, I wandered into a newly-opened bead store in a neighboring town, and I was immediately hooked. And that addiction grew incredibly fast. I knew almost immediately that I couldn’t just buy the beads…I had make the beads myself! Before the end of my first year in the world of beading, I was set up with a torch, glass rods, and a kiln…I became a lampworker.

I spent many years making glass beads and selling them at bead shows and art fairs. It was a wonderful and exciting time. But, as the years wore on, my hands grew weary, and my mind craved to expand my beading experience.

As luck would have it, I had two dear friends who were looking to open a bead store, and they wanted a third partner to join them. It was the perfect opportunity at the perfect time, and in 2006 Artful Beads Studio and Workshop was born! Over the next 10 years, we had a wonderful time teaching classes, learning new techniques in beading, metal smithing, and metal clay, and generally having a great time. But, as we all know, all good things eventually come to an end; we all decided it was time to move on to new adventures and in January of 2016, we closed our doors.

And that’s when “Trixie’s Jewel Box” came to be. I still adored beads, and this was an opportunity to try things out in yet another direction. I received my PMC certification back in the late 90s, but hadn’t had the time for playing around with metal clay as I wanted. So, with the store now closed, I decided to focus my energy for Trixie’s Jewel Box on making metal clay jewelry components…pieces that add a unique, artistic touch to peoples’ designs without breaking the bank in the process.

I also began designing beading kits that center around my handcrafted components. This is a challenge that I truly enjoy, as it brings together my love of original metal pieces and my love of artistic Czech glass beads.

These days I can still be found at several bead shows a year, as well as on etsy.com/shop/TrixiesJewelBox, where I sell my handcrafted metal clay components, beading kits, Czech glass beads, seed beads, and beading supplies. Additionally, some of my projects can be found in various beading magazines (both past and present), and I maintain a beading blog on my website www.TrixiesJewelBox.com. I don’t imagine I will ever tire of beads!