Today’s project is a fun and easy bangle suitable for jewelry beginners. It uses memory wire, so there are no clasps or findings to worry about. All you need to think about is what kinds of fabulous beads you want to use!
I am loving turquoise this season, so I used a mix of turquoise beads and tube beads to create this look. I’ll show you how I made mine, but keep in mind that memory wire bracelets are very versatile – giving you the chance to create any look you love!
Supplies needed to make your own DIY bracelet:
- Memory Wire
- Tube Beads – 3 packs of 4 will make this look
- Accent Beads you love (I used a few inches of 4mm round Turquoise Shell Twister Beads)
- Round Nose Jewelry Pliers
- Optional but helpful – Memory Wire Shears
First, using your round nosed pliers, make a small loop at the end of your memory wire coil. This will hold your beads on as you work. If you are working off a large spool, you can cut about 4 coils off to make this bracelet. The memory wire I linked to above is pre-cut into coils of 4.
Begin threading your beads onto the coil. There is no right or wrong way to do it, but I added two shell beads between each tube bead. You may certainly use just one, or several!
If you find that the tube beads aren’t exactly the same curve as your memory wire, you may need to bend (or un-bend, as the case may be) your wire slightly to match the curve. You will only need to to this for a short length at the very beginning of your coil; once the beads are on, they will slide along just fine.
Once all your beads are threaded on, take your round nosed pliers and make a curve in the end of your memory wire. This just ensures that your beads don’t fall off when you use the shears to nip off the excess wire.
Memory wire shears aren’t essential, but memory wire holds its shape because it is hardened beyond average jewelry wire. This make it easy to wear, but it’s not easy to cut with normal wire cutters. It can be done, but once I tried the memory wire shears, I’m so glad I got them. Memory wire is a lot of fun for bracelet-making, so I think you’ll find them a worthwhile investment!
Finish making a loop in the end of your newly-cut wire, and that’s it! It’s ready to wear, or to give as a gift for a dose of simple spring fashion!
About Adrianne
Adrianne is a writer, artist, designer, wife, and mom of 2 kids. She blogs at happyhourprojects.com where the theme is tutorials and recipes that can be made in an hour or less. Her favorite projects are jewelry-making, paper crafts, and recycled crafts. She participates annually in ArtPrize, an international art competition, and she's the author of the book DIY T-Shirt Crafts: 50 Ways to Recycle a T-Shirt (August 2015).
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I just wanted to let you know; I plan to do this! I haven’t yet, because there will be a bit of a start up cost for me, but I will be 😉 My daughter is only one now, and already lloves lacing activities! I hope that she’ll love this type of activity as an older child. I just created my new blog and my first real post was 24-Mothers Day Gifts that don’t Break the Bank! I shared this, and wanted to let you know in case you need any additional kind of credit/linking.
http://freshlymessylife.wordpress.com/2014/05/04/24-mothers-day-crafts/#more-25
But your blog is amazing, and I thank you for sharing this!
I am having difficulty finding the memory wire pre cut and the tube beads. Any suggestions?
Hi Sharon, the links to the exact products I used are above so that you can buy them from Consumer Crafts!
The Wire: http://www.consumercrafts.com/store/details/catalog/jewelry-making-and-stringing-wire/1904-96
The Tube Beads: http://www.consumercrafts.com/store/details/catalog/jewelry-metal-beads/1999-2619
Hope this helps, good luck!
Sorry — I didn’t see the live links above until now. (Thanks!)
It looks like $9 for the first bracelet and $7 more for each additional bracelet.
(The child wanting to make these is nigh broke. So I thought we’d better cost it out!)
Thanks for a lovely design. 🙂
Lovely! 🙂
I have not made jewelry, but we do have all the tools (from another hobby). Can you tell us how much it would cost to make this bracelet if you have to buy all the beads and wire from scratch?
WoW! I love this project, it’s a great gift idea. Thank you.
What am I doing wrong? When I made the memory wire tube bracelet, my round beads all lined up in a row instead of being staggered around the bracelet as yours are.
Hi Sharon! It will depend on a couple things – first, the size of your beads and how many you are using. These are roughly 4mm, and I used 2. That was enough to stagger it a little. You can try using more, less, bigger or smaller beads as well. Second, if you are still finding that they just stack – have you worn it yet? Putting it on and taking it off will stretch it a little bit too! All of those variables will affect the alignment. Good luck and thanks for the note!
I’m adding this to my “must make” list. I love the color combo, too!
I love the tube beads! Very pretty bracelet!
LOVE the way this turned out! I am a huge turquoise and silver fan, this is just perfect!
Looks gorgous, and I love the silver and blue beads together!
Beautiful! I really love this one!
Love it!! So beautiful!