Twilight Tide Pool Bracelet Tutorial

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRue

Designer Tips

Memory wire is steel, and unkind to most jewelry tools. Use heavy-duty flush cutters to cut the desired length: Most memory wire bracelets are 3-5 coils. The design pictured is about 3.5 coils. Tip: Flush cutters cut the wire flat, rather than pointed, so you don't have to file the end flat (flush).
Use memory-wire bending pliers (or other strong round-nose pliers) to make a loop at one end of the wire. Close the loop tightly, or the triangle beads will sneak onto the loop.
String 3-10 blue triangle beads, then 3-7 blue tube beads. Continue alternating random quantities of these 2 styles of beads until you've gone about 3/4 of the way around the first circle.
String a single triangle, a single purple "cornerless" cube bead, a single triangle, and a few blue tube beads.

Repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the bracelet. End with same number of triangle "heishi" beads that you started with. Make another round loop.
Set the crystals:
- Place a 10mm bermuda blue sea urchin crystal stone in a setting. Use your fingers or nylon-jaw pliers to begin pressing the points of the "crown" evenly over the stone.
- Finish by using a burnishing tool (or the rounded smooth end of a Sharpie marker) to smooth all the points firmly down over the stone.
Use the memory-wire pliers to twist an end loop slightly open, just enough to slip the setting onto. Completely re-close the loop.
Optional: Use a jump ring to give the crystal charm more freedom of movement.
Repeat at other end of bracelet.

Suggested Supplies

1 oz [use 3-5 coils] #61-177 Beadalon Stainless Steel Memory Wire Coil, Bracelet, 0.025", 1oz
2 each #01-695-10-03 Swarovski 1695 Sea Urchin Stone, 10mm - Crystal Bermuda Blue
2 each #41-878-01-10-3 JBB Findings Silver Plated Pendant Bezel Setting, 1 Loop, 10mm I.D.
1 strand [use about 1/4 strand]#21-533-320 Electroplated Hematine Gemstone Bead, Triangle Heishi, 3mm - Blue
1 strand [use about 1/2 strand] #21-612-320 Electroplated Hematine Gemstone Bead, Tube, 4mm - Blue
1 strand [use 5 beads] #21-583-321 Electroplated Hematine Gemstone Bead, Cornerless Cube, 3mm - Purple