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1. First you string your beads loosely. In case you are not familiar with button beads they are the ones that the arrows are pointing to. If you are going to make this into a Big Fringe bracelet, leave about 4mm at the end so you have space for all your fringe. If you are not using a lot of fringe don't leave much space at all by the crimps. You can see I have chain on either end of the bracelet, I'll show you why I did that in the Big Fringe bracelet directions coming soon. |
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2. There should be about 3-5mm between the crimp and the first bead. I strung these beads on Soft-Flex beading wire. I have also used Accu-Flex from Fire Mountain Gems and it works nicely as well. |
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3. To add the stabilizing seed bead rows behind the button I use beading thread. There are many types of beading thread - Nymo, Silamide, or C-lon. I really like Silamide the best but it can by hard to find. Condition your thread with Thread Heaven, a great thread conditioner which you can also buy at Fire Mountain. You can see the size 6/0 Japanese seed beads in the photo which I used on this bracelet. They have large uniform holes which I really like. Fire Mountain has them as well in lots of colors. |
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4. Here is where I started with my beading thread. I think as long as you secure your thread well with a strong knot you can start it anywhere along the bracelet. My favorite knot is a surgeon's knot. Basically a standard knot where you take the string through the loop at least twice. See photo below.
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