The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “Lost and Found”:“Thanks so much you all!!! It's always so much fun to find things you have forgotten…” read »
on “Lost and Found”:“I favor the carnelian, but all are so lovely. The resin earrings are very pretty.…” read »
on “Agate Nugget”:“Love it! Orange beads are so fun!…” read »
on “Lost and Found”:“I love the one with the red flower and orange nuggets! Beautiful!…” read »
on “Lost and Found”:“All four bracelets are exquisite in their own right I think. Jane you are really on…” read »
on “Lost and Found”:“Wow! They are all so beautiful that it would be hard to pick a favorite.…” read »
on “Celestial Drop Earrings”:“These are fabulous. The choice of mixing gold & silver give these a modern look. …” read »
on “Autumn Leaves Begin to Fall”:“I have entered every description, that I can think of on the Fire Mountain website, without…” read »
on “Fall is Coming!!”:“Apparently I didn’t post my comment when I thought I did. I love the beaded portion…” read »
- on “Mismatched Brass Elephant Earrings”:
“You did a great job “mismatching”.…” read »
- on “red and orange cat bracelet”:
“Even not being a cat person, I really like this bracelet, especially the size graduation away…” read »
- on “Desert Winds Bracelet version 2”:
“I like this version(2) with the single termination for the clasp.it would be easier for arthritic…” read »
- on “Lady bug 2”:
“I love ladybugs. Have a bracelet from the sixties one of my grandmothers gave me. This…” read »
- on “Fall and teal charm bracelet”:
“The teals pop against the other colors. I too would wear this year round.…” read »
- on “Agate Nugget”:
“Jane this is one of my favorites of yours. Very well thought out.…” read »
on “Celestial Tarot Hand Earrings”:“Cool bewitching pair of earrings. How did you do the eyes?…” read »
- on “Agate Nugget”:
“This is a fantastic necklace for fall wear! On our first day of fall out expected…” read »
on “Inspired by Jane”:“I, too, just love it! I love how you find ways to put things together…” read »
on “Fall and teal charm bracelet”:“I love teal with fall colors. beautiful design…” read »
on “Freebies”:“Thanks for all your comments!! I'm not going to keep this ...but I have decided to…” read »
- on “Desert Winds Bracelet version 2”:
“WOW, your work is stunning, so professional! I’m afraid this is to complicated for this…” read »
- on “Lady bug 2”:
“OMG, another fabulous bracelet! Each bead was chosen with such thoughtfulness. It explodes with…” read »
- on “Fall and teal charm bracelet”:
“Love this bracelet and I would wear it year round.…” read »
on “Mismatched Brass Elephant Earrings”:“Thats a really good idea! Thank you!…” read »
on “Mismatched Brass Elephant Earrings”:“Looks good in brass. If you want to go the extra mile, you could replace the…” read »
on “Lady bug 2”:“This is a beautiful bracelet!…” read »
- on “Harry Potter Bracelet”:
“Beautiful design! The charm adds so much too. Very cool!…” read »
- on “Two More Necklaces”:
“Pyrite is one of my favorite stones, eyecatching necklaces!…” read »
- on “Goodbye to summer”:
“I agree with Jen. Very cute!…” read »
- on “Celestial Drop Earrings”:
“Love the mixed metals! Really cute…” read »
- on “Earrings for Debbie etc.”:
“Gorgeous earrings! My faves are the ones with the daggers too.…” read »
- on “Freebies”:
“Keep it. I love the focal with the heart and the chevron beads! Fabulous bracelet!…” read »
- on “Lunar Love Earrings”:
“I love these hearts and this design.…” read »
- on “Moonbeam Earrings”:
“Great design with all the different elements.…” read »
- on “Lunar Love Earrings”:
“These are stunning! I have to make a pair.…” read »
on “Fall is Coming!!”:“PS: you see that brilliant orange silk (and cotton too) all over the place in India.…” read »
on “Fall is Coming!!”:“Wow, indeed. What an eye-catching stunner! I really enjoy and admire your work and ability to…” read »
on “Shades of Autumn”:“Thank you, Pam, Jen and Diane!…” read »
on “Freebies”:“Amazing bracelet Jane. Its beautiful.…” read »
- on “Fall is Coming!!”:
“Wow, this is gorgeous Jane.…” read »
Desert Winds Bracelet
About this design:
I wanted to use this Nepalese focal in a unique way. I love wearing bracelets and how this focal looked on my wrist. The chunky leather braid looks great with this large focal. The loops on this focal are a different shape on each side, so I added a bead charm to balance it out.
What you’ll need: (buy products below)
- 2-3 ft of 1.5mm leather cord
- 2-3 ft of 5mm flat cork cord
- 1 Nepalese focal - I also added a smaller rectangular option in the product list
- 2 ribbon crimp ends
- 2 jump rings
- 1 lobster clasp
- 1 head pin
- 1 Nepalese rice bead
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: I cut 12" of flat cork cord, and 24" of the leather cord. This is longer than you may need but it's always better to have extra than not enough. Feed both of the cord through the large tube loop on one side of the Nepalese focal. |
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Step 2: Tape down your focal on a flat surface to stabilize it. Wrap the 1.5mm cord around the flat cord twice. The 1.5mm cords should be over the top of the flat cord. Pull them tight. Cross them over each other. |
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Step 3: Once you have brought the cord around cross the 1.5mm cord over the top of the flat cord. Bring the 1.5mm cord under the opposite sides of the flat cord, then up and over. Pull tight. Keep pushing the cords up at an angle tightly so you get a nice clean fish tail pattern. See Tip: Making a Fish Tail Braid |
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Step 4: Continue doing this until you have reached your desired length. To end your 1.5mm cord braid, cross one cord over the flat cord and down behind the other and knot. This knot should be on the backside of the bracelet. You could add a dot of glue on the knot. |
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Step 5: To finish your bracelet ends, trim them down enough to fit into your crimp end. I added a little super glue on the ends for extra security. |
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Step 6: Crimp on your end with pliers. Attach your jump rings and clasp. |
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Step 7: For the other side of the focal repeat steps 1 -5. This side of the focal has a different loop, the start of it may look a bit narrower than the other side. You could wrap the cord around more time if you want to make it thicker before you start to create the fish tail braid. I added a bead charm onto the loop to balance the sides out using the Nepalese rice bead and head pin. See Tip: Wire Wrap a Charm |
Buy Products from this Design
On Aug 24, 2023 at 2:15 pm #
Crystal Canary says:Andrea, this is absolutely awesome! I love the leather braid over the cork creating such a rich, substantial wrist band for that gorgeous focal. A1 design!!
On Aug 24, 2023 at 3:52 pm #
dolllady aka Pam says:Andrea, this is so beautiful that I couldn’t wait to look at the directions. I thought it used round flat spacer beads on two different cords. I may have to try this pattern.
On Aug 26, 2023 at 8:33 pm #
JenJouterie says:Is that pendant also a prayer box? It looks deep enough to have two parts. What a clever use of leather and what finger dexterity you must have to keep it from unraveling! Absolutely stunning.
On Aug 30, 2023 at 9:29 am #
AndreaP at Lima says:Hi JenJouterie. This pendant is similar to a prayer box but it does not open.