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06/17/2013

Fish Beaded Bracelet

Okay so if you only just read the title of this post, saw the words “fish bracelet”, and came to visit me anyway… thank you. :) I know it sounds weird.  I’m not sure what possessed me to pick up these fish beads.  But I love, love, LOVE how this bracelet turned out, and I wanted to share with you!

Layered Hemp Beaded Bracelet at www.happyhourprojects.com

This is a really simple design and it doesn’t involve any precision techniques so I can confidently say that if you don’t make a mess of superglue, this project is suitable for any skill level.  The clasp is a glue-on end cap that you attach with jewelry glue, so as long as you can manage that, the beading itself is extremely easy.

What you will need:

Layered Hemp Beaded Bracelet at www.happyhourprojects.com

  • A focal bead that gets attention.  Yes, mine is quite a large fish.  Somehow when I ordered it from Consumer Crafts, I thought it would be small… I don’t know why?  But I LOVE it even more when I saw it was over an inch long!
  • Hemp, cotton, or linen twine in any color you like.  I used a combination of two – waxed linen and hemp.  I will talk more about working with each below.  Also a pair of scissors.
  • Small, coordinating beads.  I used seed beads that were size 6/0 and 8/0 from my stash in colors that looked beachy to me.  Not all seed beads will fit all sizes of cord out there so you may have to experiment a little.
  • Glue-on end caps and Aleene’s Jewelry glue.  It doesn’t have to be Aleene’s but that is what I use and swear by so that is what I will recommend.  You may experiment with other types or brands if you want.  My end caps also come with an “s” hook clasp but I like to use an actual lobster clasp instead for more security.

I like waxed linen when I bead layered bracelets like this because it doesn’t unravel while you work with it.  It really does have a coat of wax on it, making it really nice to thread beads.  Size 8/0 seed beads fit on it and it was nice for the fish.  But, on its own, it’s a little thin looking.  So, I complement with a fatter twine and use hemp too.  But it’s totally up to you.  Both are really inexpensive, but hemp is a lot easier to find (it’s even at dollar stores and every craft store carries it).  You just have to use larger-hole beads to work strictly with hemp, and often you won’t know what works until you’re sitting down with it trying to fit a bead on.

Anyway – beginning with the linen cord – I centered my fish, and tied a knot at each end of it to keep it from sliding all over my bracelet.  If you don’t mind if it moves, the knots aren’t necessary.  I jut want my beads to stay in approximately the same places as I put them, so they don’t all just slide to the bottom of the bracelet.  The waxed linen also helps with this – they won’t slide much as the wax is just sticky enough to keep it from sliding a lot (but not to sticky that you actually feel it when you wear it).

Layered Hemp Beaded Bracelet at www.happyhourprojects.com

For the rest of the beads, I did the same thing: added a few, then tied a knot to keep them in that area.  There was no real pattern or measurement, sometimes it was 3 beads or 6 beads, sometimes the knot was an inch away from the last one, sometimes it was 1/2 inch or two inches.  By keeping it random, your knots are less likely to “pile up” and will be offset within the bracelet.  Keep your two end/final knots just under 6″ apart.  Knots right at the end will actually make it more difficult to glue on your end caps.  My recommendation is to bead about 5 1/2 inches.

Once you have your fish strand done, take a moment to see how many strands will fit in your end caps.  This size accommodates about 8 strands, I think they are 4mm end caps.  Once you know, bead that many strands.  You can add as many or as few beads as you like.  I like the hemp and cotton to show through – it lends a more earthy feel – so I leave plenty of open space on my strands.

Layered Hemp Beaded Bracelet at www.happyhourprojects.com

We are going to cut all these cords down to approximately 6 inches.  (If you have a larger or smaller wrist, you will want to make adjustments to this).  The end caps and clasp will add nearly an inch to your length, so keep that in mind.  I’m aiming for a 7″ bracelet.  The only one you have to be cautious of is to keep the one with your focal bead (my fish) centered.

Now, add some glue to your cap, and glue all the strands into one side.  Give it about a minute to dry, it dries quickly.  Then, arrange your remaining cords kind of how you want them, make sure they’re trimmed off evenly on the other side, and glue on the other side.  You just want to make sure any giant tangles aren’t there before gluing it.  A little bit of crossing over is fine though.

Layered Hemp Beaded Bracelet at www.happyhourprojects.com

Now attach your final clasp, and it’s ready to wear!  I confess… I originally made this one for my sister, but once I put it on… now I can’t part with it.  (Fortunately there are still 4 more fish beads left… I can make her another, haha!)

Layered Hemp Beaded Bracelet at www.happyhourprojects.com

I hope you’re not getting tired of all the jewelry projects lately… nearly EVERYTHING in my craft stash is packed right now!  I managed to save just a couple little bins to get my craft on, and I picked my jewelry supplies because they’re all small enough not to disrupt our move.  We will be closing on our NEW house later this week, and moving this weekend or early next week.  It’s so exciting!  It just doesn’t allow for as much crafting as I normally enjoy – so bear with me the next couple weeks as we get moved and settled. :)

Layered Hemp Beaded Bracelet at www.happyhourprojects.com

How’s your summer starting out?  Have you been up to any creative fun?

Adrianne

Filed Under: Bracelets, Fashion, Jewelry, Tutorials Tagged With: beads, bracelet, easy, hemp, twine

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I love it when you love my work! All tutorials and photos published at Happy Hour Projects are copyrighted. If you would like to feature my tutorial on your website or share it on your social media you may use one photo to feature, as long as you provide a link back to the original post.

If you feature a photo, it may not be accompanied by the project tutorial or recipe, whether in my own words as it originally appears or paraphrased by you. This also includes personal sharing on social media and Pinterest. Publishing multiple photos from a project, or including instructions with an accompanying photo are not permitted and you will be asked to remove them.

I love to share my projects, and my tutorials, recipes, and e-books are ALL free for your personal use. However, photos and ideas that are published to this site are my protected intellectual property. You may print them at home, but please do not copy or distribute them. I also allow all designs to be made and sold at fundraisers, craft fairs, etc. If you are selling a piece made from one or more of my free tutorials in your online shop, I require that you use your own, original photography, and include a link back to my website to credit me as the designer.

I hope you enjoy what you read here, and please be fair when you share!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandee says

    06/19/2017 at 3:38 pm

    How big are the glue on end clasps, and the lobster clasps? What size of waxed linen, and hemp do you use? Ten pound? For the fish beaded bracelet.

    Reply
  2. Cindy says

    07/05/2016 at 10:35 pm

    I love this bracelet!!! I bought these exact some fish from a Gem and Jewelry show because I just loved them but didn’t know what I would make with them and now you have solved that problem for me. I bought some smaller fish that match the bigger one so I will find a way to incorporate them into the bracelet. I will try to remember to post a picture to share with you!!! You are just so clever!!!!!!

    Reply
  3. Kathryn Willis says

    06/14/2016 at 10:22 am

    It’s lovely, but so disappointing for me that because I don’t live in the USA I can’t order the fish beads.
    I have just searched eBay for some and they aren’t as nice as those. :(

    Reply
    • Cindy says

      07/05/2016 at 10:39 pm

      Have you tried checking out firemountaingemsandbeads.com. They have a ton of jewelry supplies and you may be able to find them there?? I am not sure if they ship overseas or what their policies are although I am sure they will have that on their website. Good luck!!!!
      Cindy

      Reply
  4. Janice says

    04/26/2015 at 9:06 am

    I bought the same fish. and was surprised at the size! I’ve been trying to make earrings that look like the fish is on a line. I saw this bracelet and thought “perfect!” I’ve never worked hemp or linen thread but here goes nothing. The nice thing about jewelry making is that if it doesn’t work, you haven’t ruined anything. You just try again.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Julia says

    11/17/2013 at 7:35 pm

    What is the diameter of the waxed linen you used in this bracelet? I just love it!

    Reply
    • Adrianne says

      11/18/2013 at 6:16 am

      Hi Julia – I’m not sure. The package doesn’t have a diameter on it. It’s really similar eight as 10-lb hemp, though. Here’s a link to where I got it: http://www.consumercrafts.com/store/browse/catalog/jewelry-making-and-stringing-cord/1/40?o=0&ss=ProductType%2CWaxed%20Linen

      Reply
  6. Deb says

    06/28/2013 at 6:21 am

    I love this bracelet. It’s adorable and perfect for summer!

    Reply
  7. Betsy says

    06/22/2013 at 11:21 am

    I think I will try this as my first attempt at jewelry making. The colors you used are perfect. I will however skip the fish to save a little money. Thanks for posting.

    Reply
  8. tavette says

    06/21/2013 at 9:49 am

    How pretty is this? In Florida we enjoy anything “beachy” all year ’round. These cool colors will make our already 90 degree temps seem a few degrees cooler. Don’t promise your sister just yet. There might NOT be enough beads once you make your matching necklace and earrings!

    How funny that the one thing you wanted to save out while packing to move was at least a partial supply of your crafting materials. We crafters all think alike – do NOT put my supplies where I can’t get to them immediately.

    Reply
  9. Marilyn says

    06/20/2013 at 3:47 pm

    Adrianne, you have such a great eye for jewelry design! :)

    Reply
  10. Deborah McLaughlin says

    06/19/2013 at 6:52 pm

    It is delightful…you have inspired me! Thanks!

    Reply
  11. LuAnn Braley says

    06/18/2013 at 12:08 am

    Beautiful bracelet! And I have to admit, it was in part the title including the words “fish” and “bracelet” is part of what drew me here. Not two words you often see used so close together in a sentence! *lol*

    Reply
  12. Leann says

    06/18/2013 at 12:03 am

    First word out of my mouth when I saw this was, “Oh!” Very cute! Thanks for sharing all this fun stuff to do!

    Reply
  13. Crystal says

    06/17/2013 at 10:32 pm

    So fun and beachy!! Love it!!

    Reply
  14. Natalie says

    06/17/2013 at 6:58 pm

    Gorgeous Adrianne -very beachy. I totally love it!!!

    Reply
  15. Kristin says

    06/17/2013 at 1:34 pm

    I’m loving this bracelet! Perfect for summer too! Thanks for sharing the tutorial! I can’t wait to give it a try myself. Be blessed, Kristin

    Reply
    • donna says

      06/20/2016 at 9:50 am

      Thank you for showing something that looks so complicated but is so simple. I just broke my arm so am limited on what i can do but this will work great especially suggesting the wax cord

      Reply
  16. Teresa says

    06/17/2013 at 1:08 pm

    Very pretty! Thanks for the continued inspiration!

    Reply

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Hello, and welcome! I'm Adrianne, an artist, author, designer, and blogger in mid Michigan. I work from home, chase my two kids, and this once-city-girl is learning how to care for chickens and adjusting to life out in the country. I have a compulsion for daily creativity... sometimes it's jewelry-making, paper crafting, metal stamping, mixing and baking, or giving new life to recycled items. But with 2 young kids, time is short! My goal here at Happy Hour Projects is to share projects and tips that you can do in an hour or less. The ideas you find here are designed to add a little creativity in your day, no matter how much (or how little) time you have!

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