How To Make A Tube Bead Stretch Bracelet - Running With Sisters

Learn to make a Tube Bead Stretch Bracelet using elastic cord, silver tube beads, and large gemstone beads. We love the way the curved tube beads make the bracelet look like a beaded bangle. And we especially love how easy it is to slip on and off with no clasp!

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How To Make A Stretch Bracelet

Materials

6 Metal curved tube beads, silver, 20mm with 2mm hole 6 Faceted Amazonite gemstone beads, round, 8mm 12 Round spacer beads, silver, 2mm 20″ Elastic beading cord, .5mm width

Tools

Beading Needle Scissors Masking tapeor cellophane tape Tape measure Clear nail polish or Jeweler’s glue

Steps

We have a video showing how to make a stretch bracelet using gemstones. The technique is the same for this Tube Bead Stretch Bracelet. So if there are any steps you would like to see demonstrated, just watch our Gemstone Stretch Bracelet video.

1. To get started, fold a piece of masking tape or cellophane tape over one end of the 20-inch piece of elastic beading cord. This will keep the beads from sliding off.

2. Feed the other end of the elastic cord into the eye of the beading needle to thread it. (We love using a beading needle for a project like this, but you can actually make it without a beading needle because the elastic cording has a good amount of body to it.)

3. Feed a silver spacer bead onto the needle and slide onto the elastic.

4. Then feed a faceted gemstone bead onto the needle followed by a second spacer bead. Slide onto the elastic.

5. Next feed a silver tube bead onto the needle and slide onto the elastic.

6. Repeat this pattern until all the beads are on the elastic cord. Keep the needle on the elastic cord for the next few steps.

7. Circle the beaded elastic strand around to form a bracelet shape. Then use the beading needle to feed the elastic through all of the beads a second time. Keep a 2″ tail unbeaded at the tape end to use for the knot later.

8. After you have gone through all the beads with the elastic cord a second time, remove the tape. Gently pull the elastic ends to tighten the bracelet and remove any gaps between the beads. Tie the two ends of the elastic together.

9. To make the knot more secure, tie the ends together again. But this time wrap one end around and through the loop a second time. Gently pull the ends tight.

10. Finally, tie the ends together one more time. Gently pull the ends tight to finish the knot. Trim the ends to ¼”.

11. Add a dab of clear nail polish or jeweler’s glue to the knot. Slide the adjacent gemstone bead over the knot to hide it. Let the glue dry before wearing the bracelet.

To wear the Tube Bead Stretch Bracelet, roll it, rather than stretching it, onto your wrist. We think this would be a fun design to make in different gemstones and then wear as a stacking set of bracelets. If you have any questions about this or any jewelry project, post a comment and we’ll reply. We love helping you! Happy Crafting, Jennifer & Kitty