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Free Bracelet Making Project: Make a Simple Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

Mar 11, 2012 by Jennifer VanBenschoten


I don't often wear bracelets, but I love a good bracelet making project. One of my favorite techniques for bracelet making is bead embroidery using lots of different types of beads and cabochons in all sizes! I used to be of the opinion that bigger was better when it came to bead embroidered bracelet making, but then I started making simple bead embroidered bracelets to sell at the farmer's market every week.

Bracelet making projects using basic bead embroidery techniques don't have to be very difficult or complex. In fact, this little bead embroidered cuff bracelet project works up in just under a day, so you can stitch one up as a gift for someone special or to have something new to wear to the office on Monday morning!

Dig through your stash of cabochons and beads, and I'm sure you'll come up with a beautiful array of beads to be used for this free bracelet making project!

Materials:

  • (1) completed bead embroidered cabochon, any size
  • (1) 1/2" brass embroidery cuff blank
  • Seed beads, size 11, in color to contrast or match with your faux suede or leather, approximately 5 grams
  • 10" square of faux suede fabric in color to match cabochon
  • Beading thread in color to match fabrics and cabochon
  • Glue or adhesive such as E6000

Tools:

  • Size 10 or 12 beading needle
  • Toothpicks
  • Scissors
  • Thread cutter
  • Chain nose pliers (optional, but helpful for getting needle through tight spaces)

Step-By-Step Directions:


 Step 1: After you've stitched a peyote bezel around your cabochon, finish it by surrounding it with a round of large seed beads and add a brick stitch edging to it.




Step 2: Wrap a strip of the leather or faux suede (I prefer to use Ultrasuede) around the brass bead embroidery cuff bracelet. Leave at least 1" on either side of the bracelet to accommodate the stitching of the cabochon to the material. You can trim the top and bottom edges to within 1/8" of the edge of the cuff bracelet.




Step 3: Cut a short length of beading thread (less than 3 feet) and tie a knot in one end. Center the cabochon on the leather. You can use a small amount of glue or double-sided adhesive tape to secure it temporarily while you work.

Stitch from the back of the leather up through the cabochon, exiting somewhere between the outer round of seed beads and the bezel. Stitch back down through the cabochon and the leather and repeat along one side of the cabochon.




Step 4: When you have finished stitching along the first side of the cabochon, stitch through the leather strip and tie a couple of knots. You can add a drop of glue if desired. Repeat on the other side of the cabochon, stitching it to the leather strip.




Step 5: Use a toothpick to spread a thin layer of glue along the brass cuff bracelet and adhere the leather strip to the bracelet. Trim the ends to about 1/8" outside of the cuff bracelet. Allow at least an hour for the glue to dry.




Step 6: Take another strip of leather and adhere it to the inside of the bracelet. Trim to within 1/8" outside of the cuff bracelet, and allow at least an hour for the glue to dry.




Step 7: Using your seed beads, stitch a brick stitch edging all around the cuff bracelet using the same technique you used to finish the cabochon.



If you don't want to leave the band of the bracelet unadorned, think about adding metal filigrees, spirals or other shapes made out of craft wire or flat beads. Or think about making your own cabochons out of resin and your favorite scrap book paper, a copy of a special photograph or a copyright-free image that you like!
Get ready to explore even more fun and easy bracelet making techniques in Kristal Wick's DVD Mixed Media: Beaded Bracelets with Fiber Beads, Crystals, Resin and Wire. Kristal takes you step-by-step through six lessons that cover all the materials you'll need as well as bead making techniques using fabric, fibers, wire and resin. Then watch as Kristal shows you how to assemble it all into a one-of-a-kind beaded bracelet that's sure to turn heads! Get your copy of Mixed Media: Beaded Bracelets with Fiber Beads, Crystals, Resin and Wire and  shake up your next bracelet making project!

What's your favorite technique for bracelet making? Do you like to use bead embroidery? Maybe peyote stitch cuffs are your thing? Leave a comment and share your thoughts here on the Beading Daily blog! (And if you happen to make this project, take a quick photo and share it with us over in the Reader Photo Galleries!)

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

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Comments

 
Linda Whiting wrote
on Mar 12, 2012 12:53 PM

I appreciate this pattern and instructions for a simple beaded cuff bracelet.  For myself I like cuff bracelets that are of a simpler design.  If there is a lot of beading done on the underside of the cuff, there is a chance it will get damaged by rubbing on counters and etc.  I also love beading around cabs so this pattern is a definite plus.  Ultrasuede is great because if it gets a little dirty or worn it can be spot cleaned with a soft toothbrush and mild soap and water.  

shellyscorner wrote
on Mar 13, 2012 5:41 PM

Beaded Embroidery is my new found love!!!  I've only done a couple of pieces, but have been so pleased and proud of how they have turned out! It's truly like painting with beads with the added dimension of shape.  So your pieces truly are a piece of art.  I love the cabochon in this pattern. I'd love to know how it was made.  I do tend to like my cuffs to be somewhat more elaborate, but it doesn't have to be a blow me away elaborate! For anyone that is really wanting to get into beaded embroidery, but can't seem to find any helpful instruction, consider Jamie Cloud Eakin's first book "Beading With Cabochons".  I found mine on Amazon.  She does have a second book out for beaded embroidery, but if you're truly a beginner, I strongly suggest staying with the first book.  It's much more geared toward the beginner.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!  I would EASILY give it 5 STARS!!!  Jennifer we would LOVE to see some more of the beaded embroidery variety!  Well, at least I would!  I don't guess I can speak for anyone else other than myself!  Thanks so much for sharing!!

Gail Devoid wrote
on Mar 18, 2012 7:26 AM

I love the idea of a quick project that would be attractive to buyers. I have a suggestion: In all such projects, a suggested price range for the displayed piece would be helpful. I realize that a cuff made with high-grade turquoise would command a higher price than one made with a plastic cabochon, but explaining what you used in the project, giving a price range for selling that piece, and noting that more expensive, or less expensive materials, would change that price range then gets those of us trying to sell our work an idea of what the market would bear.

One of the biggest problems I have is knowing how to price my pieces. If I am experienced with making something, it takes less time. If I am not, the additional time makes using $n.nn X hours not reasonable, as I cannot charge my customers for my inexperience. Likewise, if I can get a piece done in record time, I don't want to underprice the piece by using a formula like that.

ANY indication from the experts on pricing pieces helps. Please give this suggestion some consideration.

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