Mermaid Magic DIY Bracelet
Dive right in and learn how to make a bracelet that is seriously enchanting. This Mermaid Magic DIY Bracelet uses a netting stitch bead weaving technique to create a true blue beauty. Not all DIY jewelry has the shimmering iridescence of mermaid scales, and even fewer can capture the gorgeous scale pattern with just seed beads and beading thread. Like sunlight on the water, this dazzling DIY cuff is a magical sight to behold. Make your own with these step-by-step instructions from Fusion Beads.
Project TypeMake a Project
Bead TypeGlass, Seed
Time to CompleteIn an evening
Bead Technique UsedStitched
Bead Project TypeBracelet
Materials List
- 5 grams - Size 11 Higher Metallic Teal Hematite Round Japanese Seed Beads by Toho – 519 (SB5848)
- 5 grams - 3mm Metallic Midnight Purple Bugle Japanese Seed Beads (SB0692)
- 2 - 6mm Black Currant Polychrome Fire Polished Round Glass Beads (FP3720)
- 1 - Smoke Gray FireLine Braided Bead Thread .008 diameter - 6 lb/Size D (SM1001)
- Size 12 Pony 2 1/8 inch Long Beading Needles (TL2391)
- Xuron Thread and Fiber Scissors (TL3000)
- Thread Heaven (TL1027)
Instructions
-
Thread a needle with 5 feet of beading thread, leaving a 1-foot tail. Condition the thread with Thread Heaven.
-
String the following, forming the first row of netting stitch:
1 – seed bead
1 – bugle bead
1– seed bead
1 – bugle bead
1 – seed bead
1 – bugle bead
1 – seed bead
1 – bugle bead
1 – seed bead
1 – bugle bead
1 – seed bead
1 – bugle bead
1 – seed bead
1 – bugle bead
1 – seed bead -
String 4 seed beads (these beads form the turning beads at the end of the row) and 1 bugle bead, and pass through the seed bead before the last bugle bead strung in the previous row.
-
String 1 bugle bead, 1 seed bead and 1 bugle bead. Skip one seed bead after the one passed through in the previous step and pass through the next seed bead. Continue this pattern until you pass through the last seed bead in the row.
-
Repeat Steps 3-4 until the beadwork is 6.5 inches long (or desired length).
-
Exit from the second seed bead from one edge on the last row. String 19 seed beads, and pass through the first four seed beads strung, forming a loop for one side of the clasp. Reinforce the loop. Weave the thread to the opposite side of the bracelet on the last row, exiting from the second seed bead from the end. Repeat the loop made at the beginning of this step and reinforce. Weave the thread through the beadwork, trim the thread, and burn the thread end with a Perfect End Thread Burner.
-
Thread a needle onto the tail thread left behind in Step 1. Weave the thread to the seed bead in the first row corresponding to the one where one loop is attached on the opposite end. String five seed beads, one firepolished bead, and one seed bead. Pass back through the fire-polished bead and first five seed beads strung. Reinforce the attachment. Weave the thread to the opposite side of the bracelet on the first row. Repeat the button attachment made at the beginning of this step and reinforce. Weave the thread through the beadwork, trim the thread, and burn the thread end.