DIY Clustered Pearl Bracelet

My mother-in-law recently described a bracelet to me that she had seen and really loved. The bracelet was made up of lots of glass pearls in a variety of sizes. I loved the idea of the bracelet she described, so I decided to see if I could make my own version. The bracelet my mother-in-law saw was made using metal findings and traditional jewelry making techniques, but for my version I decided to simplify it a bit. I created this bracelet with nothing more than a needle, thread, and a bit of elastic. (I got the idea for sewing the pearls onto an elastic foundation from the construction technique used in lillyella's really cute button bracelet tutorial). I just finished my bracelet this morning and I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Here's how you can make one too...



Materials:

• Faux pearl beads in coordinating colors and a variety of sizes (I bought the packs pictured above and picked out the pearls I wanted to use)
• Metallic thread - (the thread will show so make sure that it coordinates with your pearls) I used single strands of silver DMC floss, this worked fine, but next time I might try a metallic sewing machine thread instead, because I think it may be easier to work with.
• Elastic - You only need a piece long enough to go around your wrist. The elastic I used was .5" wide.
• Needle (make sure it is thin enough to fit through the hole in your pearls)
• Scissors

Step 1: Cut a piece of elastic slightly longer than the circumference of your wrist.

Step 2: Overlap the ends of the elastic and stitch them together. I sewed them together by hand by making stitches in the shape of a square so that the ends would be securely connected. You could also stitch the ends together with a sewing machine if you would prefer.

Step 3: Cut a piece of metallic thread twice as long as you'd like to stitch with. Thread it through the needle and knot the two ends together so that you will be sewing with two strands of thread.

Step 4: Sew up from the underside of the elastic, thread a pearl on your needle and stitch back down through the elastic securing the pearl in place. Repeat this process until the elastic is covered in pearls...that's it! As you're sewing the pearls on make sure to vary the color and size of the pearls that you use so that you end up with an interesting mixture. Also, make sure that you do not leave any bits of elastic showing through, small pearls work great as filler for any little spaces. Whenever you run out of thread, knot it off on the underside of the bracelet and start a new piece.

The underside of the bracelet will not be terribly attractive, however I decided that since it's not visible when I'm wearing the bracelet, I can live with it. :)

Step 5: Admire your beautiful new bracelet!

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