Okay, so I’ve been seeing these black and crystal bracelets everywhere lately, and I thought, “I can totally make that!” So, I decided to give it a shot. Here’s how it went down:
Gathering Supplies
First things first, I needed to get my hands on some supplies. I hit up my local craft store and grabbed:
- Black beads: I went with some matte black onyx beads, because, you know, gotta have that sleek look.
- Crystal beads: I chose some clear quartz crystals for that sparkle. I wanted something that would really pop against the black.
- Stretch cord: Super important! I picked a strong, clear elastic cord that would be easy to work with.
- Scissors: Obviously.
- (Optional) Bead glue: Just in case I needed a little extra security.
Getting Started
I laid out all my supplies and a soft cloth on my desk to preventing beads from rolling away. Then, it was time to get beading! I started by cutting a length of stretch cord. It’s always better to cut it longer than you think you need – you can always trim it later. I am aiming to make my wrist size, so I measured roughly 25cm will be good enough!
The Beading Process
This part was pretty straightforward. I started stringing the beads onto the cord, alternating between black and crystal. I did a pattern of two black beads, one crystal, two black beads, one crystal… you get the idea. You can get creative here and do whatever pattern you like!
I kept going until the bracelet was long enough to fit comfortably around my wrist. It’s important to make sure it’s not too tight or too loose. I stretched it a bit as I went to make sure the beads were sitting nicely together.
Finishing Touches
Once I was happy with the length, it was time to tie off the cord. I used a surgeon’s knot – it’s super secure. Basically, you make a regular knot, but loop the cord through an extra time or two before pulling it tight. I did this a few times to be extra sure. Then snip, snip, snip those ends with my scissors.
For extra security, I added a tiny dab of bead glue to the knot. This is totally optional, but I wanted to make sure my bracelet wouldn’t fall apart on me. Let that dry for a bit, and…done!
The Result
I am pretty happy with how my bracelet looks. It’s simple, stylish, and totally wearable. Plus, I made it myself, which is always a good feeling. I’ve already gotten some compliments on it, so I think it was a successful DIY project!
