Beginner Jewelry Tutorial | DIY Double-Stretch Opal Bracelet

Hey friends!  I’ve got a pretty beginner jewelry tutorial to share with you today featuring beads from today’s post sponsor, Happy Mango Beads.  These faceted opal beads give you the earthy look of stone with a touch of bling, and I’ll show you a way to finish off the knots in stretch cord to make your bracelet look boutique-worthy and not just homemade.  This is a DIY accessory that can go with just about any look, straddling that line between casual and dressy.

I got these gorgeous beads at Happy Mango Beads, which is my go-to online store for stone beads, ethnic beads, and unusual jewelry components.  You can follow the affiliate links below to shop for supplies!  Here’s what you’ll need to make this double strand opal DIY stretch bracelet:

• 6mm Faceted Opal Beads, 16″ Strand (Or your favorite faceted 6mm beads)
• 5 – 12mm Double Hole Pewter Spacer Beads
• .8mm Stretch Cord
• 2 – 2mm Crimp Beads
• 2 – 3mm Crimp Covers
• Crimp Pliers
• Scissors
• Bead Stoppers

Start out by cutting two lengths of stretch cord, about 12″ each.  This is longer than you need, but having longer “tails” at each end will make it easier to tie off when you go to finish your bracelet.  I like to use a bead stopper for multi-strand bracelets like this because you can move them on and off the strands you need pretty easily (just pinch the ends to separate the coils, and add as many strands between coils as you need to).  If you don’t have bead stoppers, you can also tie a seed bead or large knot in the end of each cord to be sure your beads don’t slide off the end as you string them on.

The pattern I used was 8 opal beads on each strand, then add the 2-hole pewter bead onto both strands.  Depending on the 6mm beads you choose, you may want more or fewer beads between pewter beads – there are no rules here!  I added 7.5 inches of beads for my bracelet.  This can be easily adjusted smaller or larger to fit your wrist.

When you have your length, secure one strand of beads with knots or stoppers so that you don’t spill them off the cord while you finish the other strand.  Slip a crimp bead onto one strand, and then tie a square knot (a double knot) to finish the bracelet.  After you finish the knot, slide the crimp bead over the knot, and crimp it gently but firmly.  You want it to hold the knot in place, but you don’t want to crimp it SO tightly that the bead cuts into the cord.

Next, add a crimp cover over the crimp bead, and gently crimp that in place.  This is purely decorative!  But crimp beads aren’t that pretty, so this helps give your piece a more finished look.  Tie off the other cord, and trim away the excess cords with scissors.

The end result is a secure, simple, and classy DIY stretch bracelet you can wear anywhere!  Thanks for joining me for today’s project, and I’ll see you all again soon!