Project 813-2
 
 

Beading Lesson
How do you make magnetic wrap
necklaces and bracelets?

By: Katie Hacker
Sponsor: Beadalon

For more information visit:



www.beadalon.com

Magnetic wrap necklaces and bracelets are popular because they're simple to make and fun to wear. The beads themselves are magnetic, which makes it easy to make versatile jewelry, but it does create some design challenges.

The beads tend to have sharp burrs inside and around the edges of the holes, so you'll need to use a bead reamer to those rough spots. A bead reamer is a round file that fits inside the bead hole. You twist it back and forth to remove any burrs.

Since these designs must be extremely flexible, always use the most flexible beading wire: Beadalon 49 (http://www.beadalon.com/49StrandStringingWires.asp) . You should also use the largest diameter of wire that will pass through the bead holes. This is particularly important for this type of design because the beads are potentially abrasive. Beadalon 49 wire diameters .018" and .024" are good places to start.

Since you're stringing such a large amount of beads of varying sizes, you can use a Sbeady™ (http://www.beadalon.com/SbeadyWireNeedles.asp) wire needle to make the process go faster. Slip the needle onto the end of the beading wire and pass it through the beads.

After you string the beads, make sure there is enough space on the beading wire so the piece can bend easily. Test this by laying the design in a coil before finishing the end. There are several ways to finish the ends. A Scrimp™ (http://www.beadalon.com/BaseScrimpKit.asp) finding is a strong, durable choice.

If you don't want to use magnetic beads but you want to make a similarly versatile wrap design, follow the same steps but attach a super strong magnetic clasp to the ends. Use a Scrimp™ finding and Wire Guardian™ to attach the clasp for a strong, durable connection.

Magnetic clasps make it easy to alter designs because you can attach different pieces of jewelry together to make a design that looks completely different. Attach a matching bracelet to a choker to make a longer necklace, or connect two necklaces together to change your look.

You can also use magnetic clasps to make matching quick-change earrings! Just attach half of the clasp to an ear wire and a your beaded dangle to the other half of the clasp. Attach different beaded dangles to half of a magnetic clasp to make it quick and easy to switch them out.

For more ideas and inspiration visit: www.katiehacker.com

 

Project Images:
Guest:

Katie Hacker


 
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