Denim Blues
Nailhead Bracelet
Designed by Kristin Burgess


My favorite jewelry has to be the pieces that I can both dress up and dress down.  Having versatility in your designs makes for jewelry that you will enjoy more, simply because you will wear it more.   This bracelet is just that.  The deep blues, blacks and hematite tones of our Vintage Nailheads will work with any outfit bottomed with your favorite blues.   Show case your linking skills with Swarovski's new cut that adds a lot of sparkle to this new everyday favorite.  The Vintage rhinestone-set clasp allows for an attractive width and is easy to function...it's just perfect for a bracelet!  Leftover beads could be made into earrings!



This project is great for all levels!  Stringing, crimping and linking are involved with this project.   The bracelet has a total of three strands.  Eight crimp beads and covers are needed.  One strand of each of the beads in the materials list are needed and each will have leftovers.    The final length of the bracelet is just over seven inches.  There are enough materials to make the bracelet bigger by evenly increasing the pattern for each of the strands. 

Step 1:

Prepare a clutter-free workspace to lay out the crystal strand of CSC5523-1.   Precut 12" of 20 gauge soft sterling wire and harden with nylon jaw pliers.  Using coil links link together three of the crystals in a row including 3 coils at each loop.  Remember to connect them as you go and to make large loop connections using the broadest part of the round nose plier.   Cut away any excess wire with the side cutters.  Set this trio of crystals aside.


Step 2: 

Using the crimper tool and 1 of the 2x2 crimps attach a precut 10" of fine softflex to the
fine softflex to the rhinestone clasp bar (one of the loops on the end) using the crimping method.  Using the end part of the crimper tool then attach the crimp cover over the crimp for a more finished look.  Start by stringing this pattern onto the Soft Flex...4 seed bead, 1 blue nailhead, 1 seed, 1 blue nailhead, 1 seed. 1 blue nailhead, 1 seed, 1 blue nailhead, 1 seed, 1 blue nailhead, 1 crimp.     Crimp this strand to the end of the crstals you just previously linked.  Cover with crimp bead and trim the remainder Soft Flex tail using the cutters.  Repeat the same on the far side to attach to the other side of the clasp.  Be sure to match the clasp up so that you are crimping to the corresponding loop on the clasp set.  This first strand will set the length of the bracelet.  If you are looking for longer then 7" in length you may want 5 blue nailheads on each side or perhaps 6?  Check on your wrist before applying that final crimp to be sure that you have an accurate length.

Step 3:
 
The second strand uses the hematite nailheads.  Pre-cut another 10" for this strand and attach one side to the center rhinestone clasp loop.  After crimping attach a crimp cover to hide the crimp.  String on 4 of the  seed beads, 1 hematite nailhead, 1 seed bead, 1 hematite nailhead, and so on until there are a total of 18 nailheads on this strand.  Then add 4 seeds (how strand started) before adding 1 crimp.  Attach this finished strand to the center ring on the rhinestone clasp.  Trim away any leftover softflex.  Cover with sterling crimp cover.
The third, and final, strand is similar to the second.  The largest nailheads in black are used with the charlottes in the same 1 to 1 pattern.  Attach another pre-cut piece of fine softflex to the final vacant clasp loop using a 2x2 crimp bead.  Cut away leftover wire and hide crimp using another sterling crimp cover.

Step 4: 
Four seed beads can be added to this strand then 1 black nailhead, 1 seed bead, 1 black 
nailhead, 1 seed bead, until there is a total of 14 nailheads added to this strand.   

4 seed beads and 1 of the sterling 2x2 crimp beads will finish off this strand.  Crimp to the last vacant loop on the rhinestone clasp.  Feed tail back through the last few beads and crimp.  Apply a crimp cover to complete the bracelet! 

Leftover beads could be made into earrings to match.  The crystals alone on a 24 gauge coiled headpin make for a nice simple dangle that would also be versatile to wear from outfit to outfit. 

CHECK out our selection of other nailheads to re-create this bracelet in different color schemes.  Use our search engine at the top of the home page and plug in "Nailhead" to view our current selection.  These old sew-ons have made a big comeback and work wonderfully as strung beads in finished jewelry designs!  Enjoy fellow beaders!