Make Your Own Stretchy Bracelet

This jewelry making technique lens is about how to use Stretch Magic to make a simple bracelet. Stretch Magic is great for making bracelets since it will stretch. It allows you to make a bracelet only slightly larger than your wrist and yet still wear the bracelet by stretching it to get it over your hand. The way to make a simple Stretch Magic bracelet is first to measure your wrist. Cut a segment of Stretch Magic four inches longer than the length of your wrist. Clamp one end of the Stretch Magic about 2 inches from the end. A plastic hemostat is a good tool to use to clamp the end. Now string your beads onto the Stretch Magic from the opposite end until you have the length of your wrist covered in beads. Once this is completed, it is a good idea to clamp the other end of the Stretch Magic so that you beads won't slip off.

There are several ways to finish this bracelet. The simplest way to finish this bracelet is to grasp both ends of the Stretch Magic in one hand and remove both hemostats. Now using both hands tie a square knot in the Stretch Magic as close to the beads as possible. See the picture at right for how a square knot should appear. Using Jeweler's Cement or other non-water soluble glue, place a drop of glue on the knot you just tied. Once the glue is dried, cut the excess Stretch Magic, close to the knot. The use of a drop of glue is very important as the Stretch Magic will not stay knotted with just the square knot alone. Over time, without the glue, the knot will work itself loose and your bracelet will come apart sending beads everywhere.

You can also finish a Stretch Magic bracelet by using Crimp Beads, Crimping Pliers, and commercial clasps. After you have completed crimping the crimp beads it is also a good idea to tie a knot with the excess Stretch Magic close to the crimp and to glue this knot as described above. For instructions on crimping visit here.

Stretch Magic is an easy way to make a bracelet, but you must consider that the stretching property requires special consideration. In particular, the use of glue to fix any knot in Stretch Magic is essential. For other directions on using Stretch Magic, visit here.