Making Multi-Strand Bracelets

Bracelets, like all great jewelry you can make, can come in a huge variety of options. You are limited only by your imagination and what you can come up with. Bead choices, material choices, and stitches can change your design significantly and giving it a completely different look. One fantastic options is a multiple strand bracelet. You still have a ton of chices, but the multiple strands makes it a more significant piece then just a single strand.

Here your material choice makes a huge difference in the design that you can come up with. The two easiest options are working with nylon coated beading wire and making different stretch options. Of course, it isn't as simple as choosing what you will make your bracelet out of, you still have a number of great options once that is said and done!

One of the easiest options is making a bracelet from nylon coated beading wire. This is simple and quick. It can also be done with several strands for a beautiful look that is easy to put together.

1. Cut your wire about four inches longer then you need for your bracelet (one strand for each that you desire to have on your bracelet).

2. Fold it over and add the first half of your clasp.

3. Add a crimp bead over both sets of wires and crimp it tight (make sure your short end is about 1.5-2" of wire.

4. Bead each strand individually according to a pattern you like.

5. Add a crimp bead over all wires.

6. Add your clasp.

7. Run your wires back through the crimp bead and crimp it.

8. Trim all wires and add a drop of glue to each crimp bead.

It really can be that simple.

Whether you choose to make your bracelet using nylon coated beading wire or you want to do it with something else, you can make it with a focal point that will be at the top of the wrist or a few focal points. This is done by adding beads to the individual strands and then adding a bead or a few beads (or even a charm) to all of the wires and then separating them out again.

Woven bracelets are made in a very similar way however instead of focal points the beads that go over all of your strands are closer together for a woven together look. It is usually harder to determine how many strands there are because they work together as one more then the focal point look. For example the blue and black one to the right is made with black and blue seed beads and blue bi-cone glass seed beads. There is one inch worth of seed beads between each bi-cone bead. However, there are four strands of seed beads giving it a more substantial look.

Working with stretch cord can give you similar looks though is sometimes harder to tie off. With a little practice, good knots, and glue you can create great multiple strand bracelets out of stretch cord, elastic, or other stretch medium.

Simple Mulit-Strand-You have a few options when making multi-strand bracelets. The easiest uses a large bead in which you will hide all your knots in. Then you bead each strand, tie it off, and add a drop of glue to each knot. Finish by trimming your knots close, but not too close.

Woven-You can weave your elastic in the same way as you do nylon coated beading wire. Leave your ends dangling and tie them once all your beads are on. Tie each strand separately and back into itself (each end will then be tied to the other end of that strand). Make sure you glue your knots and trim them close.

Spacer Bars-You can even use spacer bars for a unique look with your stretch cord. Treat each strand as an individual even though it is run through the spacer bar. When it is finished tie it off, glue it, trim it and then move onto the next strand.

See Using Stretchy Cord For Bracelets to get more great tips and directions.

While the wave stitch doesn't really look like it is made from two strands, it is. This lovely and interesting piece looks a lot more complicated then it is and is a great multi-strand bracelet project. It takes two strands and can be done with beading thread or nylon coated wire. For directions in how to do it and more ideas for making great wave stitch bracelets see the article Using the Wave Stitch For Great Bracelets.

Spacer bars let you make unique pieces. They come in a wide range of options with fancy ones and multiple whole choices. You can get them so they will space out your individual strands. You can use lots of them for a well divided piece or a few just to keep your strands evenly spaced out. You can also get them where your strands are fairly close together (like this one) or wider apart for a varied look and a huge variety of design choices.

Your creativity can be poured into a huge variety of great multi strand bracelet projects. These ideas are just to get you started with making great bracelets in a wide range of styles. Have fun and get creating.