Beaded Hardware Cloth Bracelet

Materials

1/4" grid hardware cloth
one magnetic clasp
beading needle
ruler
5mm crystal bicone beads (approx.150)
two 1-1/4" end bars *
gray size D beading thread
Fiskars craft snips **
permanent marker
metal file (optional)

* The size (length) of the end bars will depend on width of your bracelet. It you want to make it narrower, you will need shorter end bars.

** Kitchen shears with a serrated edge or tin snips will also cut the hardware cloth easily.

1. Measure your wrist to determine the length of hardware cloth. Don’t forget to allow for the fastener, and subtract that measurement from the length. Also determine the width of the bracelet which should be the same as the width of the fastening.

2. Mark the length and width of your bracelet on the hardware cloth with a permanent marker. Cut this piece out (figure A). Cut as close as possible to the cross wires so there will be no sharp protruding ends (figure B). Smooth any rough spots with a metal file.

3. Thread the beading needle with a 36-inch length of the beading thread. Double it so you have a working piece 18 inches in length.

4. Holding the wire strip vertically, start in the upper left-hand corner square and secure the thread with a double knot around the topmost wire of that square. Leave about a 2-inch tail of thread (figure C).

5. Pick up one bead with the needle, slide it all the way down to the knotted thread, and hold it in that first square of the hardware cloth.

6. Put the needle down into the second square and pull it back up through the first square again (figure D). You are simply wrapping the thread around that bottom wire of the first square. Pull the thread tight to secure the first bead in position.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you have placed a bead in as many squares as possible before running out of thread (figure E).

8. To finish off the thread: Stop beading when you still have several inches of thread left. Tie a double knot around the last wire worked; then run the thread back through two or three of the last beads added (figure F). Trim any excess thread.

9. To start a new thread: Secure a double knot two or three squares back from where you added the last bead; then run the thread through the beads leading up to the first empty space (figure G). Bring the needle through the last bead added, and repeat steps 5 and 6. Continue in this manner until every square in the piece of hardware cloth has a bead in it. Finish off as described in step 8.

10. Stitch one end bar to each end of the beaded hardware cloth; then stitch a magnetic clasp to each end bar (figure H).

11. Snip all threads to within 1/8 inch. Leave as is or burn off the ends if desired.

12. Carefully shape wire to fit your wrist.

Notes:

Hardware cloth is available at local hardware or home improvement stores. In hardware stores, it is often available by the foot. Home improvement stores and some hardware stores sell it in 10-foot rolls. Be sure to get the shiny galvanized wire rather than the dull black sometimes sold in hardware stores.

Crystal bicone beads, beading thread, beading needles, end bars and magnetic clasps are available at bead stores and some craft stores.