Bali and Noodle Bead with Chain Bracelet

by Mint Spring

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Wrapping
Skill Level: Beginner

This simple project turns out a beautiful, elaborate looking bracelet. And it can be made with just a few spare parts!

Materials

22 Gauge Square Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-22SQH

Lesson Quantity: 18.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $12.95
Gold Club Price: $9.71

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Noodle beads Silver 1 inch

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Oval Focal Bead Silver, 1 Inch

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Sterling Silver Fancy Bead Round w/ Hearts 7mm - Pack of 1

K9-166

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 4.00 each
Price: $2.48
Gold Club Price: $1.86

Out of Stock

Silver Filled Jump Rings Open (.025) 22ga (OD) 3mm (ID) 1.98mm - Pack of 25

S11-12

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $0.66
Gold Club Price: $0.50

Out of Stock

Silver Filled Cable Chain Oval 4.6x3.2mm - 10 Feet

C10-324U

Lesson Quantity: 11.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $27.97
Gold Club Price: $20.98

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Tools

C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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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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Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler

G7-30

G7-30
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.97
Gold Club Price: $2.23

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3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister (Cordless Screwdriver)

G5-15

G5-15
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $42.97
Gold Club Price: $32.23

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Instructions

Step 1

Straighten and cut 4 pieces of wire at least 1-3/4" longer than the length of 1 noodle bead PLUS 2 of the Bali beads. These wires can be twisted if you like. Mark 2 pieces 3/4" from 1 end.

Mint Spring's Bali and Noodle Bead with Chain Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Straighten and cut wires.

Step 2

Straighten and cut 1 piece of wire at least 1 3/4" longer than the single bead PLUS the other 2 Bali beads. This can be twisted if you like. Set this piece aside.

Step 3

Using one of the 4 wires put 1 of the 4 beads at the 3/4" mark followed by a noodle bead and then another of the 4 beads. Make 2 pieces like this.

Mint Spring's Bali and Noodle Bead with Chain Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adding beads to the wire.

Step 4

At the joint between the noodle and one of the end beads, make a 90 degree bend. Note how it bends UP from the curve of the noodle bead..

Mint Spring's Bali and Noodle Bead with Chain Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adding joint and bending at 90 degrees.

Step 5

Center the 2 noodle beads on the other two pieces of wire.

Mint Spring's Bali and Noodle Bead with Chain Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Centering noodle on the wires.

Step 6

At one end of the noodle bead make a 90 degree bend like before following the curvature of the bead.

Mint Spring's Bali and Noodle Bead with Chain Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, 90 degree bend.

Step 7

Insert 2 of these bent wires through 1 bead. (Use one piece with the noodle bead only and the other is the piece with the noodle AND Bali bead.)

Mint Spring's Bali and Noodle Bead with Chain Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adding wires through the bead.

Step 8

Now make a spiral out of the ends of both wires sticking through the Bali bead. Make SURE that the beads are tight at the bend. The spiral will bend out over the length of the noodle beads. Also be sure that the left wire bends to the left and the right wire goes to the right. This way they will pivot inside the bead and make the focal section flexible and more comfortable to wear.

Step 9

Holding the 2 sections together back to back insert the 2 wires through a bead and swirl the ends as before. Again be sure that the beads are tight to each other.

Mint Spring's Bali and Noodle Bead with Chain Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Adding sections to each other.

Step 10

Using the piece of wire that you set aside earlier, thread it through the center of one Bali bead, through the single bead and then through the other Bali bead making sure that you are going through the shortest distance of the piece. You may have to separate the 2 Bali beads a little to have enough room for the center bead.

Mint Spring's Bali and Noodle Bead with Chain Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Threading wire through the center bali bead.

Step 11

Measure the finished width of your piece just made as well as the width of your clasp. Measure your wrist over your widest point and add 1/2" or a little more if you like your bracelets loose. Add the width of your clasp and the width of the finished piece just made. Subtract this from your wrist + 1/2" measurement. Now divide this in half. That is how long your chain will be. Depending on the size of the chain you can have one or two lengths on each side. Because this is a fine chain I have elected to use 2 pieces per side.

Step 12

Attach a jump ring to two pieces of the chain and attach this around the 2 swirled wires at each end of the center piece just made. Repeat this for the other side..

Mint Spring's Bali and Noodle Bead with Chain Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Attaching jump rings.

Reviews

Mint Spring

Mint Schlief is a native Virginian and has lived there for most of her life. She is a graduate of Stuart Hall School for Girls in Staunton, Virginia and attended Westhampton College in Richmond. Mint also took design and sewing classes at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. Professionally, she is a high-end kitchen and bathroom designer who currently works with Custom Kitchens, Inc., (Richmond, VA), as she has for 34 years.

Although Mint's journey into wire-jewelry artistry actually began in 2007, she can trace the original source way back! After she met and married her wonderful and supportive husband, Dean in 1977, they visited Mint's grandson in Italy. While touring Venice, she purchased several Murano pendants, which the locals wore on strands of seed beads twisted into a rope necklace. However none of these were long enough for her neck, and being the crafter that she is, Mint decided to make her own! To pursue this venture she paid a visit to 'More Than Just Beads' in Williamsburg to purchase the necessary seed beads. While there, Mint saw her first piece of wire jewelry; a framed cabochon pendant that was a project taught by the shop owner, Sande Hubbard.

Mint says, "I was fascinated and signed up for her next class. I then attended Bead Fest Wire in Wilmington, Delaware and took every class that Dale "Cougar" Armstrong offered."

"No, I have never finished the necklace for the glass pendants, as wire has consumed my life! And being much too prolific, I have started Mint Spring's Designs LLC, and I participate in juried Fine Art shows whenever possible. I have been nationally published twice, thanks to my friend and mentor "Cougar." Without Sande, "Cougar," and my beloved husband Dean, none of this would have been possible."

Mint Schlief and her husband Dean reside in rural Virginia.