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Make an Adjustable Bracelet with Ginkgo Beads



My name is Meredith and I love Bead Weaving. Whether it's with tiny size 15 seed beads, large size 6 seed beads, and everything in between. I've been intrigued by all of the double holed beads that have exploded onto the beading scene in the last few years. The possibilities are amazingly endless with designing potential! This is a design that I've seen others do in different ways, but never with Bead Stringing Wire as a foundation. I also was having a challenge in sizing the bracelet given the way the Ginkgo Beads come together. Enter the perfect solution - an adjustable macrame slider. This project works up in about an hour, and since it's adjustable it makes a great gift option!

Materials:
49 Strand .015 Beadalon Bead Stringing Wire
.006 Green WildFire Bead Weaving Thread
Size 2 Crimp Tubes
Polyester Braided Cord
Beading Needle

Beads from Starman Beads:
Ginkgo Beads
3mm Firepolish Beads
Size 15 seed beads
Size 6 seed beads

Tools:
Crimping Pliers
Chain Nose Pliers
WildFire Cord Cutter
Nipper

Instructions:

STEP 1
Cut a 20" piece of Beadalon Bead Stringing Wire. Fold it in half and thread the size 2 Crimp Tube over both wires. Leave a loop about 3/8" long and crimp the Crimp Tube in place.

STEP 2
Thread one 3mm Firepolish Bead on both of the wires. Then thread 4 size 15 Seed Beads on each wire.

STEP 3
Pick up one Ginkgo Bead and thread one end of the Wire through each of the holes. I like to start with the smooth end of the Ginkgo Bead, but it doesn't matter, as long as you pick it up the same way each time.

STEP 4
Thread one Ginkgo Bead on each of the Wires, then thread one Ginkgo Bead on both Wires.

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until your bracelet is the length you want.

STEP 5
Thread 4 Size 15 Seed Beads on each Wire, then, thread one 3mm Firepolish and 1 Size 2 Crimp Tube over both Wires.

STEP 6
Create a loop with one of the Wires by looping it back through the Size 2 Crimp Tube. Tighten the loop so it matches the one on the other side, crimp the Crimp Tube and trim the ends of the Wire.
TIP: Don't cinch up the Wire too tight - work in some wiggle room so your bracelet lays nicely.

STEP 7
Cut a 3ft length of WildFire. Flatten the end with the Chain Nose Pliers and thread it onto the Needle.

STEP 8
Sew the needle down through the open hole on the first Ginkgo Bead on one side leaving about a 5 inch tail. Thread one size 15 Seed Bead, one 3mm Firepolish, and one size 15 seed bead and sew through the open hole in the next Ginkgo Bead. Repeat until you reach the last Ginkgo Bead on the side.

STEP 9
Pick up 5 size 15 Seed Beads and sew back down the top of the last Ginkgo Bead, back up the other side of the last Gingko Bead, then add 5 more size 15 Seed Beads and sew down the open hole in the first Ginkgo Bead on the other side of the bracelet.

STEP 10
Repeat the size 15 Seed Bead - Firepolish Bead - size 15 Seed Bead pattern in between each of the Ginkgo beads on the side of the bracelet.

STEP 11
When you get around to the beginning of the bracelet, pick up 5 Seed Beads and sew down through and around the Ginkgo Beads until your thread meets up with the beginning tail.

STEP 12
Tie the ends together in a square knot and use the WildFire Cord Cutter to trim and seal the ends.

STEP 13
Cut a 12 inch piece of Polyester Cord. Thread it through both of the loops and lay the two ends next to each other so you have the middle thread in the middle, one loop at the top and one loop at the bottom.

STEP 14
Take an 8 inch piece of Polyester Cord and place it under the three threads from Step 13. Tie an overhand knot to hold it in place. Tie 4 or 5 macrame knots - right over left, left over right to create the slide. Trim and seal the ends in place with the WildFire Cord Cutter.

STEP 15
Add two size 6 seed beads to each of the loose tails, and tie a double overhand knot to keep them in place. Trim and seal the ends in place with the WildFire Cord Cutter.

Thanks for joining me for this fun and easy project! Did you make it? Post your designs in the Jewelry Making with Beadalon Group and be sure to set your notifications to catch us for all of our Facebook Lives.

Until next time, happy beading!
Meredith

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