NETTED BRACELET

Amy Haftkowycz from Trixie's Jewel Box

This project works well with melon beads, druk, beads, and faceted round fire-polished beads. Try mixing and matching druks, melons, and fire-polished beads for a wonderfully textured look. For those who enjoy making jewelry in sets, this bracelet is a wonderful match with the “Netted Earrings” project!

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner. This project assumes a working knowledge of adding and weaving in/tying off thread.

Materials:

• 6mm Czech Glass Beads (4 beads)*
• 4mm Czech Glass Beads (8 beads)*
• 3mm Czech Glass Beads (69-84 beads)*
• 11/0 Seed Beads (Approx 160 beads): SKU T300/R-11-221
• 8/0 Seed Beads (12 beads): SKU T129/R-08-221
• Single-strand box clasp (1 piece): SKU BRO/108

Additional Supplies:

• 6lb Fireline Beading Thread
• #10 Beading Needle
• Scissors

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*Beads used for the Oranges/Blue Turquoise Bracelet:

• 6mm Czech Glass Beads (4 beads) SKU: ML6/017 
• 4mm Czech Glass Beads (8 beads) SKU: ML4/001
• 3mm Czech Glass Beads (69-84 beads) SKU: ML3/005

*Beads used for the Blue Stripe Bracelet:

• 6mm Czech Glass Beads (4 beads) SKU: D6/029
• 4mm Czech Glass Beads (8 beads) SKU: D4/010
• 3mm Czech Glass Beads (69-84 beads) SKU: ML3/002

©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

Making the Focal of the Bracelet:

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

2- Pick up three 3mm beads and one 4mm bead.  Slide the beads down the thread, leaving a 3” tail. From the tail end up, pass the needle through all four 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 (Figure 3). Pass the tail through the 4mm bead and then trim the tail off close to the beadwork. Pass the needle through the same 4mm bead, and then flip the beadwork so the working thread is coming out the upper right hand corner (Figure 3a).

3- Pick up one 4mm bead, one 6mm bead, and one 4mm bead. Slide them down to the beadwork (Figure 4), and then from bottom to top pass back through the 4mm bead your working thread is coming out of (Figure 5). Pull these beads in close (Figure 6).

4- Work the needle and thread so that it is coming out of the 6mm bead (Figure 7). Flip the beadwork so the thread is coming out the upper right hand corner (Figure 7a).

5- Pick up three 6mm beads. Slide them down to the beadwork (Figure 8), and then from bottom to top pass through the 6mm bead your working thread is coming out of (Figure 9). Pull these beads in close (Figure 10).

6- Work the needle and thread so that it is coming out the middle 6mm bead added in Step 5 (Figure 11). Flip the beadwork so the thread is coming out the upper right hand corner (Figure 12).

7- Pick up three 4mm beads. Slide them down to the beadwork (Figure 13), and then from bottom to top pass through the 6mm bead your working thread is coming out of (Figure 14). Pull these beads in close (Figure 15).

8- Work the needle and thread so that it is coming out the middle 4mm bead added in Step 7 (Figure 16). Flip the beadwork so the thread is coming out the upper right hand corner (Figure 17).

9- Pick up three 3mm beads. Slide them down to the beadwork (Figure 18), and then from bottom to top pass through the 4mm bead your working thread is coming out of (Figure 19). Pull these beads in close (Figure 20).

Adding Seed Bead Edging and Netting:

10- Work your needle and thread so that it is coming out the 3mm bead along the top edge (Figure 21).

11- Pick up one 11^o seed bead and pass through the next 3mm bead (Figure 22). Pick up one 11^o seed bead and pass through the next 3mm bead (Figure 23). Pick up one 8^o seed bead and pass through the next 4mm bead (Figure 24). Pick up two 8^o seed beads and pass through the next 6mm bead (Figure 25).

12- Pass through the next 6mm bead (Figure 26). Pick up three 11^o seed beads, one 3mm bead, and three 11^o seed beads. Slide them down to the beadwork (Figure 27), and then from bottom to top, pass through the 6mm bead that is immediately to the right (Figure 28). Pull these beads in close (Figure 29).

13- Pick up three 11^o seed beads and then from top to bottom pass through the 3mm bead added in Step 11 (Figure 30). Pull these beads in close (Figure 31). Pick up three 11^o seed beads and then from bottom to top, pass through the 6mm bead immediately to the left (Figure 32). Pull these beads in close (Figure 33).

14- Pass your needle through the next three 6mm beads so that it is coming out the 6mm bead on the bottom edge of the beadwork (Figure 34).

15- Pick up two 8^o seed beads and then pass through the next 4mm bead (Figure 35). Pick up one 8^o seed bead and then pass through the next 3mm bead (Figure 36).

16- Repeat Steps 11, 12, and 15 to complete the edging on the second side of the beadwork (Figure 37).

17- Work the needle and thread so they are coming out the 3mm bead at the end of the beadwork. Flip the beadwork so the thread is coming out the upper right hand corner (Figure 38).

Adding the Strap and Clasp:

18- Pick up three 3mm beads. From bottom to top, pass through the 3mm bead the working thread is coming out of (Figure 39). Pull these beads in close (Figure 40).

19- Work the needle and thread so that they are coming out the 3mm bead at the end of the beadwork. Flip the beadwork so the thread is coming out the upper right hand corner (Figure 41).

20- Repeat Steps 18-19 until you reach your desired length (Figure 42). NOTE: To determine how long your strap should be, take a snug measurement of your wrist. Subtract the length of the center focal from this measurement, and then divide the result by 2. This number will be the length the strap on each side of the focal should be. When the straps are complete (before you attach the clasp), the ends of the beadwork should just touch when you wrap it around your wrist. Once you attach the clasp, your bracelet will be the perfect length!

21- Work your needle and thread so they are coming out the 3mm bead at the end of the beadwork, and then flip the beadwork so the working thread is coming out the upper right hand corner (Figure 43).

22- Pick up one 11^o seed bead and then pass through the next 3mm bead in the beadwork (Figure 44). Repeat this step until you reach the end of the top edge of the strap (Figure 45).

23- From top to bottom, pass through only the 3mm bead that is immediately to the left (Figure 46), and then from left to right pass through the 3mm bead that is immediately to the right (Figure 47).

24- Using the technique described in Step 22, add 11^o seed beads along the bottom edge of the strap (Figure 48).

25- I recommend tying several knots to secure the beadwork before attaching the clasp. This way, if something happens while attaching the clasp, or if you have to add length in the future and you have to cut off the clasp, you won’t lose all the beading you’ve completed so far. So at this point, weave around the beadwork and tie several knots, but do not cut the thread from the beadwork.

26- Work the needle and thread so it is coming out the end 3mm bead of the strap and then hold the beadwork so that the thread is coming out the lower left hand corner (Figure 49). Pick up two 11^o seed beads, one 3mm bead, and one half of the clasp. Slide all of these down to the beadwork (Figure 50). Pass through the hole of the clasp 2-3 times to reinforce it, keeping the clasp snug against the beads while doing this. Pass back through the 3mm bead (Figure 51), and then pick up two 11^o seed beads. From top to bottom, pass back through the 3mm bead in the strap (Figure 52, Figure 53).

27- Pass through all the beads added in Step 26 one more time to reinforce the clasp, and then weave the thread into the strap of the bracelet, tying several knots along the way. Trim the thread off close to the beadwork (Figure 54).

28- Attach thread to other side of the beadwork and then repeat Steps 18-27 to attach the second strap and second half of the clasp. 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 www.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!