Spring Fling
Swarovski Bracelet
Designed by Kristin Burgess
March has arrived and with it comes Swarovski's gorgeous Spring colors! The Lt Topaz AB, Lt Sapphire AB and Crystal AB colors used in this bracelet represent true Spring elements... earth, water and air. The addition of Peridot in the floral margarite cut makes a wonderful color splash here and there of a true green that will soon be dotting our yards and roadsides. This is a great instant gratification project that contains a true mix of Vintage cuts, some of which are collectable and out of circulation. A fabulous gift for a fellow bead collector or add some Spring Bling to celebrate the new season!
This project is great for all levels! Stringing and crimping are involved with this project. The bracelet has a total length of 8". Two crimp beads and covers are needed to attach the beaded strand to the clasp.
By omitting beads evenly you can decrease the length of the bracelet without altering the look. I find it helpful to strand the bracelet directly onto the softflex spool as it is easier to keep the pattern even (you can deduct beads from either side should the piece end up longer than intended). The peridot flowers are skinny and can be added or substituted in place of a larger bead if need be.
Step 1: Prepare a clutter free workspace to lay out piles of your beads and components on. Start by stringing this pattern onto the Soft Flex spool...1 crystal ab, 1 sapp rondelle, 1 sapp crystal, 1 peridot, 1 topaz, 1 peridot, 1 sapp, 1 sapp rondelle, 1 crystal ab and so on until you have threaded a symmetrical bracelet ending with crystal ab (making 5 total of these on the bracelet).
Step 2: 
Crimp this strand to the slide clasp. Remember that the clasp will add length to your bracelet. The snap in style clasp used here is just over 1/2" in length. So if I was trying to create a 8" bracelet only 7&1/2" would be beaded onto the softlex and the 1/2" clasp will make the bracelet the intended length. If you choose to use a different clasp be sure to measure and consider it's length along with the beaded softflex length. After crimping side one trim the remainder Soft Flex tail using the cutters. Using the end part of the crimper tool attach the crimp cover over the crimp for a more finished look. Repeat crimping and covering for side two.
Step 3: Bead "leftovers" can be used to make dangle earrings to match!
Using the 24 gauge goldfill headpin experiment with stacking
beads in various different orders until you find a pattern that
pleases you. One that I liked started with stacking 2 peridot
flowers then 1 lt Sapp. rondelle then lastly 1 large crystal ab
bead. Try substituting the crystal ab bead for the madiera
topaz bead for a more colorful design. With most earrings I
make, I prefer to coil the top of the earring for security reasons.
Two wraps are plenty unless you would like a longer earring then
try 4 or 5 wraps. The gold fill lever back style earring finding is
also very secure. It has a wonderful hinge on it so that it literally
hinges completely shut preventing any of your earrings from
"jumping ship" or being lost altogether. If you don't use the
lever back style know that any of the french earwire findings
in the gold fill would work too.
As always enjoy!
