Braided Bracelet

by Natalie Patten

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Making Loops, Twisting
Skill Level: Beginner

Simplicity meets elegance in Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet design. Using just one gauge of wire and one size of beads, this project shows how minimal materials can create maximum style. The result is a beautifully braided bracelet that's easy to make, comfortable to wear, and effortlessly chic.

Materials

22 Gauge Round Silver Plated Silver Copper Craft Wire - 24 ft

H17-I22-24FT

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.60
Gold Club Price: $5.70

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22 gauge wire - Or you can choose from multiple metal options

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4mm Amethyst 5000 Round Swarovski Crystal Bead - Pack of 12

A13-88A

Lesson Quantity: 24.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $3.97
Gold Club Price: $2.98

Out of Stock

4mm Light Amethyst 5000 Round Swarovski Crystal Bead - Pack of 12

A13-1

Lesson Quantity: 24.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $3.97
Gold Club Price: $2.98

Out of Stock

Sterling Silver Jump Ring Open (.030) 20ga 3mm - Pack of 10

K11-26

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.38
Gold Club Price: $1.79

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Silver Filled Oval Lobster Clasp 9mm - Pack of 1

S3-13

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.50
Gold Club Price: $1.13

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Tools

5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws

G2-1

G2-1
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

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Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Xuron Flush Cutter - Pack of 1

G2-504

G2-504
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1

G2-503

G2-503
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

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Round Hard Wood Bracelet Mandrel - 15 Inches

G7-33

G7-33
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.97
Gold Club Price: $11.23

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20 X 15 Inch Padded Work Mat

MAT-620.00

MAT-620.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

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Optional Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5

G15-20

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $170.72
Gold Club Price: $128.04

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Instructions

Step 1

Take a wire approximately 20 inches long and fold it in half at the center, bringing the two tail ends together.

Then, take a 14-inch wire segment and bend it about 2 inches from one end.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , fold it in half at the center

Step 2

Position both wires at the bend around your round nose pliers or bail-making pliers.

Form a loop at the bend.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Form a loop at the bend

Step 3

Use the 2-inch tail from the 14-inch wire to wrap around the other wires four times, creating a wrapped loop.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , wrap around the other wires four times

Step 4

Trim the excess wire from the loop with cutters.

Use chain nose pliers to tuck down any sharp ends.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Trim the excess wire from the loop

Step 5

Splay out the three wire ends, coming from the loop.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Splay out the three wire ends

Step 6

Add on an even number of beads to each wire.

Step 7

Bend the ends of the wire to prevent the beads from falling off.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Bend the ends of the wire

Step 8

Slide one bead up the right-side wire and position it beneath the loop.

Cross this wire over to the center.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Cross this wire over to the center.

Step 9

Push one bead up on the left wire and cross this wire over to the centre.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Push one bead up on the left wire

Step 10

The original center wire should now be on the right-hand side.

Slide one bead up on this wire and cross it over the top to the center.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Slide one bead up on this wire

Step 11

Repeat this plaiting motion by bringing the beads up one at a time.

Cross the left wire over to the centre with each bead.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Repeat this plaiting motion

Step 12

Bring the next bead on the right-hand wire up.

Position this wire into the centre.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Position this wire into the centre.

Step 13

Continue to plait the wire by crossing the outside wires over to the centre, one at a time, with the bead in place.

Keep the wires with beads attached straight as you work.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Keep the wires with beads attached straight as you work.

Step 14

Check the length of your bracelet and add on more beads if necessary.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , add on more beads if necessary.

Step 15

Take the wire with the last bead attached.

Wrap it around the other two wires to bind them together.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Wrap it around the other two wires

Step 16

Trim off the excess wire from this wrap and tuck in any sharp ends.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Trim off the excess wire

Step 17

Unfold the bends at the end of the two wires and straighten them out.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Unfold the bends at the end

Step 18

To neaten the braid and make it more even, gently stretch the braided wire.

Pull on both ends while doing this.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Pull on both ends while doing this.

Step 19

Use the two wire ends to form another wrapped loop at this end.

Make sure it is the same size as the first loop.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Make sure it is the same size as the first loop.

Step 20

Bring the two wires around the pliers together.

Wrap them underneath the loop to secure.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Wrap them underneath the loop

Step 21

Cut off any excess wire from this wrap and tuck the ends in firmly.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Cut off any excess wire

Step 22

Start shaping the bracelet by bringing the end loops towards each other.

Use a mandrel or any cylindrical object to mould the bracelet into its form.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Start shaping the bracelet

Step 23

Add jumprings and your chosen clasp to the loops to fasten the bracelet.

Natalie Patten's Braided Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, , Add jumprings

Reviews

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Natalie Patten

I'm Natalie Patten, I'm from Liverpool in the UK. I first discovered my love of wire work during lockdown and this hobby quickly spiralled into a huge passion and obsession, for wire wrapping crystal gemstones. So much so, that I changed my career working in education, to become a jewellery designer and set up my business Rock, Scissors, Paper specialising in wire wrapped, ethically sourced gemstone jewellery. I also secured my dream job designing and teaching for the UK's largest supplier of beads for jewellery making! I make lots of different jewellery designs with a variety of techniques but my absolute favourite is wire work and I feel absolutely blessed that I can spend my time creating, learning and sharing my passion with others!