Florida Fantasy
Bracelet
Designed by Kristin Burgess


Taking Old Miami colors for inspiration, this week's tutorial is a salute to the summery south!  Rich pinks and teal greens are reminisent of warm ocean waters and sun kissed skin.   The beautiful mix of opal glass along with opaque glass makes for a fantastic play on color.  This Florida inspired bracelet mixes bold colors and funky geometric shapes for a flavorful mix.  Bring a little of the South into your jewelry collection today!


This project is great for all levels!  Stringing and crimping are involved with this project.   The bracelet has a total length of 7&1/2".  Four crimp beads are needed to attach both beaded strands to the pewter toggle 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 seed beads are necessary as they help with the curvature of the bracelet and allow the larger glass beads to sit comfortably next to each other.

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 seed bead, 1 teal pinch, 1 seed, 1 large opal glass, 1 seed bead, 1 large opal glass, 1 seed bead, 1 pink pinch, 1 seed bead, 1 green opal diamond, 1 seed, 1 large clear glass, 1 seed bead, 1 teal pinch, 1 seed bead, 1 large opal glass, 1 seed bead, 1 pink pinch bead, 1 seed bead, 1 green opal diamond, 1 seed bead, 1 large opaque pink glass, 1 seed bead, 1 teal pinch bead, 1 seed bead, 1 large clear pink glass, 1 seed bead, 1 pink pinch bead, 1 seed bead, 1 green opal diamond, 1 seed bead, 1 large opal pink glass, 1 seed bead, 1 teal pinch, 1 seed bead, 1 large clear pink glass, 1 seed bead, 1 teal pinch, 1 seed bead.

Step 2: 

Crimp this strand to the pewter toggle clasp.   Remember that the pewter toggle clasp will add some length to your bracelet.   If you choose to use a different clasp be sure to measure and consider its length along with the beaded softflex length.  If you want a shorter style decrease evenly on either ends of the bracelet.  I find it helpful to carefully hold the bracelet up to myself around my wrist.  This way you can really see how the bracelet is going to look and at what length it looks best!  Crimp this finished strand to the other side of the toggle clasp.  Trim any remaining softflex away using the flush cutters. 

Step 3: 

Strand this pattern onto your Softflex spool to create the second strand...  1 seed bead, 1 teal pinch, 1 seed, 1 large opal glass, 1 seed bead, 1 large opal glass, 1 seed bead, 1 pink pinch, 1 seed bead, 1 green opal diamond, 1 seed, 1 large clear glass, 1 seed bead, 1 teal pinch, 1 seed bead, 1 large opal glass, 1 seed bead, 1 pink pinch bead, 1 seed bead, 1 green opal diamond, 1 seed bead, 1 large opaque pink glass, 1 seed bead, 1 teal pinch bead, 1 seed bead, 1 large clear pink glass, 1 seed bead, 1 pink pinch bead, 1 seed bead, 1 green opal diamond, 1 seed bead, 1 large opal pink glass, 1 seed bead, 1 teal pinch, 1 seed bead, 1 large clear pink glass, 1 seed bead, 1 teal pinch, 1 seed bead.  Attach this strand the same way as the first strand.  Be sure that the bar side of the toggle clasp can swing sideways completely. 
 
As always... enjoy!