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Bead Weaving is so creative! In a couple of hours, you can make a lovely bracelet and spend my time doing something fun! I teach my friends how to make their own bracelets when we gather together on what has become regular "beading nights"! So many ideas... and so much fun! These are great gifts too - if you do not know the size of the person you are making the bracelet for, you can use one inch piece of chain and a lobster claw so they can place the lobster claw anywhere along the length of the chain that feels comfortable instead of the bar and toggle (which is a fixed length) I would recommend making the flat spiral bracelet first (using a single needle) THEN moving on to the double needle Hugs and Kisses Bracelet (using two needles) THEN making the double Hugs and Kisses Bracelet (more beads, more fun, more sparkle and shine)!  Double Hugs and Kisses Bracelet using pearls as the base, silver seed beads, and 2mm crystals (two instead of one) in the chevron pattern for the embellishment row - with a silver clasp My recommendations on how to start I went online and watched videos on how to bead weave. There is a great company that has tons of DIY videos, I like Potomac (next word), Bead (next word), Company and watched their videos. I watched the video full through once, then set up my beads, made sure I had all the supplies (listed below) then watched the video again on my laptop while I created the bracelet and I could pause as needed while assembling. The only difficulty I had was in finding a pattern that stated the numbers of beads I would need before I started the project. There was brief mention in one of the videos so that gave me a start. I made one bracelet and wrote down the number of beads used so I would know for the next time when shopping. I am sharing that information below in this post. It is a good policy to lay out and count the beads before you start to ensure you have the right amount. If you make a mistake or need to make a change, you can undo by taking off the needles and pulling the bead back out from the thread. You can get a lot more beads for the $ when you order online (once you know the sizes of the beads that you are looking for). I use Fire (next word) Mountain (next word) Gems as they have an incredible selection and also a 100% full satisfaction guarantee. I also go online to their site, and they sent me a huge catalogue, just to browse at the creations they have by their designers. So many possibilities!  For the double hugs and kisses version, you make the base first going up one side and then the other, then you add the ring (or toggle), then do the embellishment row, and then add the toggle (or ring) on the other side and you are done! Once you have completed one bracelet, you will get the hang of making them without use of the video and you can then experiment with different colours and sizes of beads - the bead sizes will make a huge difference in the look of the bracelet (google search photos for some ideas). I use a piece of fabric under my beads to stop them from rolling away while I pick them up on my needle. I set the fabric on top of my box of beads and set them on my lap on the couch in front of my laptop! Those tiny seed beads can be frustrating to pickup on your needle but make sure that you have proper lighting and you can change the colour of your fabric underneath to contrast the bead colour to better see them. To see other designs of bracelets that I like, check out my pinterest page yesimadeitmyself or search "hugs and kisses bracelet" on google. Change up the size of the beads to create a completely different and unique look to your own bracelet!  Top - single, Lower is the double hugs and kisses design  Close up to see the crystals in between the pearls on the embellishment row  Double Hugs and Kisses Bracelet without embellishment row. Faceted beads on the outside with regular pearls on the inside  Want to make a stronger version of the hugs and kisses bracelet? Use beading wire! My tutorial on making a stronger bracelet can be found at: http://www.yesimadeitmyself.com/diy-jewellery-tutorial/hugs-and-kisses-bracelet-tutorial-how-to-make-a-hugs-and-kisses-bracelet-using-beading-wire-instead-of-fireline-to-make-it-stronger-and-less-likely-to-break  Above photos are all made with the single HUGS AND KISSES pattern On the left: New "jade" (glass) beads size 10mm with a size 11.0 seed bead spacer bead no embellishment row on top (so as not to cover the beauty of the beads) It is cool on the wrist - a favourite for summer In the middle: silver czech glass pearl size 8mm seed beads in between the top embellishment row 2mm "rainbow"' coloured crystal Simple and pretty On the right: zirconia shaped silver bead in 4 mm 11.0 seed beads 2mm crystal on the embellishment row So Blingy  The photo above is a lovely flower design embellishment on the top row of the Hugs and Kisses bracelet! SUPPLIES FOR FLAT SPIRAL TWIST BRACELET : Example shown in photo of black and silver bracelet above (far right) Approximate length is 6.5 inches 1 beading needle (approximate size 10) available at the Bead or crafting store 18 center beads (approximate size 4mm) 360 seed beads (approximate size 11.0) 34 side beads (approximate 2mm zirconia shaped) Fireline (it's like fishing line) 1.5 to 2 times of your "wingspans"(or the size of line that you can hold between your right and left hands when spread out horizontally) Toggle and loop or lobster and ring clasp **************************************************************************************** SUPPLIES FOR HUGS AND KISSES BRACELET Photos are the silver bracelet and also the gold bracelet Approximate length is 6.5 inches 2 beading needles (size 10 or 12 - your preference) 50 x 6mm center and side beads (for the bottom layer of beads) I use round shape, but you can adjust to the shape of the bead whatever you decide to use, use bicones for a sparkly effect 64 (approximately) 11.0 sized seeds beads (for the top layer of embellishment or between the beads in the bottom layer to cover any gaps between the beads - you will need more beads) 17 x 2mm center crystals (for the top embellishment layer - I used the bicone shaped in the gold bracelet) Fireline (I use 6 lb) : approximately 1 "wingspan" Toggle and loop or lobster and ring clasp **************************************************************************************** SUPPLIES FOR HUGS AND KISSES BRACELET (with a flower pattern): Photos in black with white crystals (below) Approximate length is 6.5 inches 2 beading needles 50 center and side beads (for the bottom layer of beads) I use round or bicone, but you can adjust to the shape whatever you decide to use 64 seeds beads (for the top layer) 17 Center flower crystals (for the top layer - I used the bicone shaped in the gold bracelet) For the flower pattern, I used 68 of the clear crystals as the "flower petals" Fireline (I use 6 lb) : approximately 1 "wingspan" Toggle and loop or lobster and ring clasp Of course, everyone is different size and depending on the size of the beads used, the amounts will vary.  So many variations on the same Hugs and Kisses Bracelet pattern... using different sized beads, in different colours! From left to right, black with round beads, silver using zirconia, gold using faceted beads, middle gray is hermitite beads (a faceleted center bead plus round beads), next is in green and black, finally far right the round bead, with bicones in the center bottom row and flower pattern on the top embellishment row!  Using pearls add classic beauty to the hugs and kisses bracelet  For the white bracelet, I used pearls and instead of a crystal as the "crossover"bead on the embellishment row, I used a montee bead to add sparkle   You can use two different colours by keeping the "other colour" on the same side working up one side and then up the other side. Online videos can show you how!  Silver Bracelet and Gold Bracelet single double and hugs bracelet - using faceted lower row and center beads and lined (silver / gold) 11.0 japanese seed beads with crystals to add sparkle and shine!   Don't forget to invite your friends over to join in on the fun of beading and creating! Be creative and Have Fun Comment Form is loading comments...
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