Tuesday 25 November 2014

DIY Rhinestone Cross Bracelet

I know you all know just how much I loooove bracelets, both making and wearing them.  So it might surprise you to find out that I haven't shared many bracelet tutorials on my blog.  Today I am rectifying that by sharing a quick rhinestone cross bracelet DIY which I did with the little Cheeky Monkeys.  Being Christians, the cross holds significant meaning for us, and wearing one in our jewellery is a fun sign of our faith.  If wearing a large cross on your wrist is not your thing, then this bracelet is easily adaptable to any other large jewellery connector with a loop on both ends.

image diy tutorial rhinestone cross bracelet stretch elastic beaded

Supplies
one large rhinestone cross connector, or other large connector (available here and here)
- 15-20 8mm glass beads or pearls (depending on your wrist size)
- clear beading elastic, approximately 2-2.5 times the length of your wrist
- gel superglue or jeweller's Hypo Cement

image diy tutorial rhinestone cross bracelet stretch elastic beaded two cheeky monkeys
Instructions
1.  To prevent bead spills, attach a bead stopper to one end of the elastic.  Thread the beads onto the beading elastic.

image diy tutorial rhinestone cross bracelet stretch elastic beaded two cheeky monkeys
2. Pass the elastic through the loop on one end of the cross connector.  Carefully thread the elastic back through half of your beads, making sure the beads abut right up to the connector loop, but not too tightly.

image diy tutorial rhinestone cross bracelet stretch elastic beaded two cheeky monkeys

3. Remove the bead stopper, if using one.  Thread this remaining loose end of the elastic through the other end of the cross connector.  Pass the elastic back through the remaining beads.

image diy tutorial rhinestone cross bracelet stretch elastic beaded two cheeky monkeys

4. Tighten the elastic and loosely tie an overhand knot.  Carefully try on the bracelet for size, adding or removing beads as needed.

image diy tutorial rhinestone cross bracelet stretch elastic beaded two cheeky monkeys

5. Once the bracelet is the required size, tie two overhand knots on top of each other to secure the bracelet.  Make sure to tighten the bracelet so that the beads sit nicely next to the connector, but not too tightly.  Dab a drop of glue onto the elastic knot and leave to dry.

image diy tutorial rhinestone cross bracelet stretch elastic beaded two cheeky monkeys

6. Once the glue is dry, cut the spare elastic close to the knot and adjust the elastic to hide the knot inside a bead.  Now wear your bracelet with pride!

2 comments:

  1. Sweet and pretty, love the cross! What size of elastic do you use that can pass twice through the beads- .7 or .5 mm? Does it hold the cross securely? Thanks

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    Replies
    1. Hi Joan,
      from memory I used 0.5mm elastic, but the glass beads I used had relatively large holes for glass beads anyway.
      As long as you pull the elastic tightly (but not overly tight), and secure the knot well, the bracelet sits very nicely on the wrist - we are all still wearing our bracelets three years later!
      :) Deb.

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