When it comes to making your own jewelry, a DIY stretch cord bracelet might be the easiest bracelet to make. After all, even little kids can string beads onto some cord, right? So true – BUT – I’ve learned that there are a few little tools, tips, and tricks that make the whole process go a little more smoothly and give you a finished homemade stretch bracelet you can enjoy. Show I recently decided it was time to put my tools and tips to use and update some of my bracelets. No longer was I looking for the shiny metals and Swarovski crystals that I liked wearing with my professional wardrobe, and instead I wanted more of the currently trendy natural looking beads to go with jeans. It was time to gather my supplies and make my own stretch bracelets! How To Make A Bracelet With Stretch CordOnce again, making stretch bracelets is quite easy to do. However as with most DIY projects, I’ve learned that having some helpful tools and knowing a few little handy tricks makes the project more enjoyable. Here are six tips I’ve found helpful to know as you complete the steps to make your own stretch bracelets: #1 – Lay Out Your Design First #2 – Prestretch Your Elastic Cord When I get read to make a stretch bracelet, I cut a 12″ piece of the .7mm elastic, and then hold it in one hand and run it between the thumb and forefinger of my other hand, pulling it a little bit and giving it a gentle stretch as I go. I do this three or four times to prestretch the elastic cord. #3 – Scotch Tape Can Be A Bead Stopper #4 – Start Stringing by Beads With Larger Holes #5 – Finish Up With A Surgeon’s Knot #6 – Reinforce the Knot With Clear Nail Polish After applying the nail polish I let it sit for a few minutes to dry before trimming off the ends of the elastic. Sometimes I feel like trimming the elastic ends off is the most stressful part of the whole process for me as I try to trim it close for a neat knot, but not so close that I feel like I’ve compromised the knot. Finally, when it comes to trimming the ends of the elastic, I have a set of small jewelry making tools, and the wire cutting tool makes a great snipping tool for cleanly cutting the ends of the elastic to finish up the bracelet. I’ve used these little tools on so many occasions for other things around the house too. A couple times my menfolk have laughed when I come with my little itty bitty pliers or snippers to help them fix something, but my jewelry tools can get in small places that their regular sized tools can’t (so there, hmmph!!) And then another bracelet was complete! I thought this turquoise one looked nice with another white bracelet I had made. It’s Fun To Find Beads For Stretch Bracelets!Part of the fun of making stretch bracelets is that they’re a pretty quick and simple project so it’s easy to make a bunch, and it can be stylish to wear a bunch of them together too. Plus when you’re at the store there are so many pretty colors to choose from, it’s hard not to want to buy dozens of beads. I ended up buying six strands of beads on sale at Michaels Crafts (I used 8mm size), plus I scored a few cute charms from a clearance rack. Then I rummaged through the beads in my craft stash and found some accent beads and spacer beads I could use. I ended up with six pretty new bracelets – PLUS – two simple bonus bracelets that I quickly strung together from the leftover beads. Eight new bracelets altogether! Now, I just need some new outfits to match the new bracelets. Just kidding . . . sort of . . . even cheapskates like new outfits now and then 🙂 You Might Also Like To Try:
Update your wardrobe with a bunch of quick DIY stretch cord bracelets. They're fun and fast to make and fashionable to wear too! Author: Beverly Materials:
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