Make a Shamballa Bracelet

Popular with celebrities and bauble lovers, the shamballa bracelet is a current hit. If you enjoy making your own jewelry pieces, making your own shamballa bracelet will allow you to customize it to suit your own colours and textures, in an affordable way.

Steps

Preparing the cord

  1. Cut the cord into three even lengths. Use quality scissors or jewellery snips for an even cut.
  2. Tie the three cord pieces together at the top. Use a loose knot and place it about 25cm/10 inches from the top of the cords.
  3. Place the tied cords down flat on your work space. Tape onto the work surface to prevent moving.

Knotting the bracelet

The bracelet is made using macrame to make square knots.

  1. Separate each cord so they resemble a little teepee. Think of each cord as cord 1 (left), 2 (middle) and 3 (right) when you're working with them in this section.
    • Pick up cord 1.
    • Place cord 1 over the top of cords 2 and 3.
  2. Move cord 3 back over the top of cord 1.
  3. Pick up the end of cord 3. Put it under, then through the loop made between cords 1 and 2.
  4. Pull cords 1 and 3 to form a knot. Cord 2 should be held tight as you're making the knot. Pull the knot tight. You have half a square knot in place.
  5. Finish the square knot.
    • Pick up cord 1 and place it under cords 2 and 3.
    • Place cord 3 under cord 1.
    • Place the end of cord 3 over and through the loop made between cords 1 and 2.
  6. Create several more square knots. The idea is to make a line of square knots until it's time to add the first bead in place. A good guide is to make 4 to 6 knots before adding the first bead.
  7. Thread the bead onto the middle cord (this should still be cord 2). Push the bead right up against the last square knot you made.
  8. Tie the next square knot right under the bead. The purpose of this is to trap the bead within the square knot.
  9. Continue making more square knots until it's time to add the next bead. You can vary how many knots between each bead but it's a good idea to keep it to 1 or 2 knots between each bead (as is common with store-sold ones). Keep the gaps between beads and the lengths at either end symmetrical for a better end result.
    • Add in each bead as before, trapping each bead within a square knot.
    • Add about five to six beads, depending on your wrist size or the desired size of the bracelet. (Note that the size of the beads may impact how many you add too––adjust accordingly.)
  10. Finish the other side of the bracelet as you began. Make the exact same amount of square knots as at the start.

Tying off the bracelet

  1. Tie off the bracelet. After finishing the last knot, turn the bracelet over.
    • Tie a very strong knot using the two outside cords.
    • Add a dab of strong glue to strengthen the knot. Allow to dry for at least an hour, or as suggested by the packaging.
    • Repeat on the other side.
  2. Cut off the two outer cords to the base of the glued knot. Leave the middle cord uncut. The two middle cords at either end of the bracelet should now be the only cords left.

Making the clasp and bead tassels

  1. Make a sliding knot clasp. Cut a length of cord 50cm/19 inches long.
  2. Place this cord halfway across the two remaining middle cords. The two middle cords now become the centre cord and the new piece of cord turns into the left and right cords.
  3. Make a new square knot. Keep this fairly loose because it needs to slide when adjusting the bracelet length.
  4. Make about a further five square knots. Tie off the last knot as explained in the "Tying off the bracelet" section above. Don't glue the two middle cords though, as these are what will form the sliding mechanism.
    • Cut off the ends and leave one cord each side of the square knots.
  5. Add a final bead to the ends of the two loose cords to finish off.
    • Tie a knot toward the end of the first cord, leaving enough space for the bead and a final knot.
    • Slide the bead into place next to the knot. Tie the bead in.
    • Leave the last bit of cord dangling beneath the bead. Only cut down if it's a little too long.
  6. Enjoy wearing your new shamballa bracelet. Once you've mastered the first one, it will be easier to make more and these make ideal gifts and market stall items.

Tips

  • If you have really large beads and the square knots look swamped, leave more square knots between each bead.
  • Make sure you buy thick cord. Because if you don't, you won't see your square knots and it will take ages to do a bracelet long enough! Also experiment with different beads you may be surprised.
  • Shamballa style beads can be made at home with a little ingenuity. Find plain round beads of a suitable size. Glue artificial gems, sequins or other glittery decorations at evenly spaced intervals around the bead. Allow to set properly before using in the bracelet.

Things You'll Need

  • Shamballa style beads - drop into your local bead store for help or see Tips for a hack of your own
  • Approximately {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of wax-coated nylon cord (1mm); colour of your choice
  • Scissors or jewellery snips
  • Tape
  • Suitable glue (good strength)

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Sources and Citations

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