Heavy metal chain and bead bracelet

Create substantial links with metal seed beads, then connect them with jump rings for a bracelet that drapes elegantly around the wrist.

SUPPLIES

bracelet 7 1⁄2 in. (19.1 cm) 

• 42 3 mm bicone crystals
• 15 g 11/0 metal seed beads
• 2-strand clasp
• 60 3 mm 20-gauge jump rings
• 30 2.5 mm 20-gauge jump rings
• Fireline 10–14 lb. test
• beading needles, #10
• 2 pairs chainnose or bentnose pliers

1. On 24 in. (61 cm) of Fireline, pick up four 11/0 seed beads, leaving a 5-in. (13 cm) tail. Sew through the first three 11/0s again to form a ring (FIGURE 1, a–b).

2. Pick up three 11/0s, and sew through the 11/0 your thread exited at the start of this step and the next two 11/0s again (b–c). Continue working in right-angle weave until the row is five stitches long. Exit an 11/0 on one of the long edges (c–d).

3. Work two more rows of right-angle weave, and exit the last stitch as though to start a new row.

4. Pick up an 11/0, and sew through the 11/0 on the opposite edge of the strip (FIGURE 2, a–b). Pick up an 11/0, and sew through the 11/0 your thread exited at the start of this step (b–c). Continue stitching the edges together, using a right-angle weave thread path, and adding one 11/0 per stitch. Sew through the four 11/0s on the end. Exit the first corner 11/0 on a long edge.

5. Pick up an 11/0, and sew through the next 11/0 (PHOTO A). Repeat three times to reinforce the entire edge, then sew through the next two beads. Repeat with the remaining three edges.

6. Weave through the beadwork to exit the first edge 11/0 added in step 5. Pick up a 3 mm bicone, skip the first edge 11/0 on the adjacent edge, and sew through the next edge 11/0 (PHOTO B). Repeat twice to add two more 3 mms. End the working thread and tail.

7. Repeat steps 1–6 to make a total of 14 components

1. Close the 30 2.5 mm jump rings, and open the 60 3 mm jump rings.

2. With the 3 mm bicones facing you, slide a 3 mm jump ring through the top right 11/0 on a component. Attach a 2.5 mm jump ring, and close the 3 mm jump ring. Repeat on the other end of the component.

3. Slide a 3 mm jump ring through the top left 11/0 on another component. Attach the 2.5 mm jump ring from step 2, and close the 3 mm jump ring. Repeat to join the bottoms of the components (PHOTO C). 

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all the components are joined.

5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on each end of the bracelet, substituting the loops of each half of the clasp for the 11/0s (PHOTO D).