Make Wrist Candy
Now you can create "wrist candy"—that layered bracelet look—on a budget by making inexpensive DIY braided beaded bracelets, and combining them for your own signature look. Once you've made a few DIY bracelets, you'll be able to layer them on with a statement jewelry piece, resulting in a delightful piece of wrist candy. It's easy—and it's fun! We'll show you how to do it.
Steps
- Gather your supplies. See the list at the bottom of the page, under "Things You'll Need".
- Cut the cord. Measure and cut two pieces of the waxed linen cord into 25 inch (63.5cm) and 18” (46cm) strands.
- Fold the 25 inch strand in half, and match one end of the 18” strand with both ends of the 25” strand.
- Fold the rest of the 18” strand over the folded part of the 25” strand creating two loops.
- Make a knot. Tie a basic overhand knot about a half-inch (1.5cm) down, leaving enough space for the toggle closure to fit through the loops.
- This will leave you will 4 strands.
- Cut the fourth and shortest strand completely off.
- You should now have 3 equal strands left for braiding.
- Begin to braid your bracelet.
- Continue the braid about an inch (2.5cm) down from the loop. Make sure you keep the braid tight, to prevent unraveling later.
- If you do not know how to braid, see How to braid or How to braid a bracelet and teach yourself.
- Braid in the beads. Thread a bead onto the outer left strand.
- Thread the bead and push against the base of the braid. Then cross the left strand over the middle.
- Do the same but with the right strand this time. Thread the bead onto the outer right strand, push against the base of the braid, and cross over the middle.
- Continue threading the beads. Rotate between the outer right and outer left strands.
- Thread the beads before crossing the strands over the middle.
- Complete braiding the beads in.
- Finish the bracelet. Leave a tail of about another inch (2.5cm) or so of braided cord.
- Measure against the wrist to ensure the bracelet isn’t too small or too big, then secure with an overhand knot.
- Trim the two shortest strands completely off.
- Thread the remaining strand through the toggle closure.
- Butt it up against the braided section, then secure with another overhand knot.
- Trim any excess cording. Be careful not to cut the knot.
- Repeat these steps until you have several bracelets made. Layer them on with a statement piece of jewelry (something more expensive to jazz the look up). Use different color cording and beads to make the look even more fun and interesting. You’ve now created "wrist candy" on a budget!
Tips
- Tape the top of your bracelet to the end of a table to help ensure a tight braid that will keep your beads in place.
- To prevent fraying, dab some clear nail polish on the ends after cutting.
- If the ends do fray, try twisting them or snipping a small piece off.
- Make sure to use waxed linen cord because the wax helps keep the ends from fraying.
Warnings
- This may be called "wrist candy," but don't eat it!
- Try not to touch the ends of the cording too much; this will cause them to fray faster, making it nearly impossible to thread the tiny beads.
Things You'll Need
- Large pack of size 6/o seed beads (gold or silver)
- A few feet of waxed linen cord in various colors
- Toggle closures (gold or silver)
- Scissors
- To complete the look, add the following:
- A statement jewelry piece (large watch, bangle or bracelet preferably gold or silver)
- Variety of DIY braided bead bracelets
