After Glow Bracelet Tutorial

Created by: Janet Boyington

Designer Tips

Lay out beads on a stringing board to check your length and pattern.
Cut 8-9 of stringing cable (2-3" more than the finished length of the bead section).
Add a crimp tube, add clasp, and go back through crimp tube, making a small loop. Crimp securely, leaving a short tail. For more crimping instructions, see crimp plier packaging, or Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).

Your first 1 to 3 beads should have holes large enough to go over both the main wire and the "tail". This helps keep the stray end from scratching the person who will be wearing the bracelet.
Add a jump ring to the lotus charm and securely close. (Twisting the jump ring to open and close it, works best - See illustration in Jewelry Basics 101). If you have trouble seeing if your jump rings are securely closed, try using a jeweler's loupe or a keep a magnifying lamp at your workstation.
Using an oval jump ring helps keep the charm neatly on the bracelet, because it fits more like a bail.
String all beads and pull tight -- but not too tight! Add final crimp and other half of clasp, and before crimping final loop, make sure you can shape the bracelet into a smooth circle.

Suggested Supplies

1 strand (use 4 beads) #28-010-10-025 Fused Glass 10mm Rounds in Matte Smoke AB
1 strand (use 9 beads) #28-010-10-325 Fused Glass 10mm Rounds in Translucent Yellow AB
2 10-packs (use 12 beads) #49-955-07-AP TierraCast 7mm Nugget Heishi Beads, Antique Pewter
1 pkg (use 8") #61-783-49-87 Soft Flex Stainless Steel Beading Wire, 0.024", 49 strand, 30' - Steel
1 pkg (use 2 pieces) #41-256-03-3 Beadalon Silver Plated Crimp Tubes
1 each #39-470-01-AS TierraCast Lotus Magnet Clasp, Antique Silver
1 each #49-943-19-AS TierraCast 13mm Lotus Petal Charm
1 pkg (use 1 piece) #37-190-02-3 TierraCast Silver Plated Oval Jump Rings, 20-gauge

Tools

Crimp Pliers
Nippers
1 or 2 pairs of chain-nose pliers (many beaders prefer using 2 pairs of chain-nose pliers to securely open and close jump rings)
Optional: stringing board
Optional: loupe or magnifying lamp

Jan 1st 2021 Janet Boyington