How to make a bracelet with crystal beads

Crystal beads make beautiful jewellery. Crystal lends itself to reflecting precious metals or steel. Combining colours of different crystal creates fashionable and stylish accessories for day or evening wear. For this bracelet I used:

• turquoise and taupe crystal beads
• steel spacers and crimps
• Steel toggle clasp
• no 7 nylon coated stainless steel stringing wire

You will also need a pair of crimping tools and a cutting tool (pliers are preferable for a close cut)

Start the bracelet by measuring out beads into a pattern. Cut beading wire plus an additional 5-6" for folding back through at each end.

Thread one end of the beading wire through the ring on one end of the toggle clasp, add two crimps and double the wire back through the ring and the crimps - pull tight and secure the crimps in place using the crimping tool and squeezing tight until the crimps do not move. Make sure there is no space between crimps and clasp.

Thread beads onto wire and include the length of folded back wire through the first couple of beads and continue to thread until pattern is completed. You should have about 3" wire left.

Add two more crimps and other end of toggle clasp. Thread wire back through clasp and crimps and pull through first two or three beads as tightly as possible. Secure crimps using crimping tool. Ensure no wire is showing. Using cutting tool snip off any wire not threaded through beads.

Enjoy your beautiful bracelet or give it as a gift.

Note the crimping and finishing can be tricky at first. Be patient and practice - it is worth it!