How to Make a Daisy Chain Bracelet

The holiday season is definitely upon us, and the mad dash to give the perfect gift is in full swing. If you have any young ladies on your list, and you want to give them something that is truly unique, consider making them a daisy chain bracelet. It's easy to put together, and since you're making it, it can reflect the sparkle and special nature of your young jewelry enthusiast.

The first step, of course is to gather the material together. This project calls for size 10 seed beads, nylon thread, a clasp that can be opened and closed with one hand, two calotte crimps, and a beading needle. Other helpful pieces of equipment include a set of beading tweezers, beeswax, needle nose pliers, glue, and a tape measure. Most of the material and equipment you need can be easily found at your local craft store.

Have the fun of this project, of course, is deciding what the bracelet will look like, When finished, this particular project will look like a series of delicate flowers wrapping around your young girl's wrist. So, the first course of action is to choose the color of beads that you want to use. Just about any color or combination of colors would work, but most people like to use colors that complement each other, such as blue and green, red and yellow, or the like. Probably the best way to choose your beads is to go to the store and compare them side by side. For a normal bracelet, that measures about 6.75 inches when fully extended, you need approximately 100 beads of one color, and 109 beads of another.

Once you have gathered all the materials and equipment together, the next step is to measure the string for the bracelet. If you're making the bracelet for a specific person, it might be a good idea to measure around their wrist, to get an idea of how long you should make the bracelet. Once you have that measurement, the string should be about 1/2 inch shorter than their wrist measurement to account for the clasp, and provide for a comfortable fit. For example, if your young model's wrist measurement is 6.5 inches, your string, when it's all said and done should measure approximately 6 inches. But when you are first cutting the string, it is better to have extra, so be sure to cut your string at least six times as long as the finished project will be.

So now you have the string cut, and the beads gathered, its now time to start beading. Don't worry; it's a very simple process. The first step is to slip the string through the eye of the needle, and tie a slip not into the other end, approximately 3 inches from the end. This will allow the beads to slip easily over the needle and slide down to the knot. The next step is a bit more involved, but still quite easy. This is where you create the patterns that will create the daisy chain bracelet.

Let's say that you have chosen the two colors red and black to create the bracelet. The next step is to pick up seven beads with the needle, in this order two red, followed by one black, followed by four red. Of course, you can reverse the colors; simply keep the pattern the same. Then slide them down the needle to meet the slip knot at the end. Next, take the needle and string and thread it the opposite way through the first two beads, to create a beaded loop when the string is pulled tight. Now, take the needle again and thread the string through the last two red beads in the sequence, pulling it tight yet again. By doing this, you have created your first daisy in the daisy chain. At this point, your needle should be facing in the original direction. In addition, you should have eight red beads surrounding one black bead.

The next step is to take two black beads and string them onto the needle and thread. Then, take the needle and string it through the two red beads that you went through in the previous step. This will create another loop. Now, going in the same direction, pass the needle and thread through the two black beads that you just placed on the string. Now the beginnings of your second daisy are firmly attached to the end of the first.

To complete the second daisy, slide five more beads onto the needle in this order: one red and four blacks. Now take the needle and thread and pass it again through the two black beads that you had just placed on the thread. This will create a second daisy. Your first daisy will have red petals with black center, and the second will have a red center with black petals.

So, now the next steps are simply a repeat of the previous ones. Basically, thread two beads, loop them into the last two beads of the previous daisy, and then placed five more beads on the needle and looped then through, creating another daisy in your daisy chain.

Once you have reached your desired length of beadwork for your bracelet, place a calotte crimp on the needle, with the cups facing away from the beadwork. Now, pick up a second seed bead, making sure that it is smaller than the calotte crimp. Now, weave the string back through the last two beads of the last daisy, and string it through the calotte crimp again, passing it through the single seed bead within the calotte crimp.. Repeat a few times to add strength to the joint. Next, take the needle and thread and form a series of three half hitches around the loops of thread between the calotte crimp and the rest of the beaded bracelet. Next, pull it tight and take a drop of glue to the knotted thread. Now, untie the needle, attach it to the other end and follow the same process to attach another calotte crimp to the other end of the bracelet.

Once the adhesive is dry, which it should be after a few minutes, cut off the extra string close to the knots outside the calotte crimps. Next, take the pliers and close the calotte crimps. After that, the only step left to do is to attach the clasps to the loops of the calotte crimps and close the loops.

You've just made a very fashionable bracelet in a fairly short time, and with a simple process. With the holiday season coming up, it's a great idea for a gift for the young or old jewelry enthusiast alike.