For something a little bolder, make a base of open-weave squares using single needle right angle weave and embellish the open squares with different glass or crystal beads, or use pearls and tiny seed beads. Right angle weave lends itself to dozens of great ideas for making easy beaded bracelets. Once you are more familiar with flat peyote stitch, you can add some texture to your bracelet by including shaped beads like triangle beads, drop beads, and peanut-shaped beads. Or skip the seed beads entirely and use cube-shaped beads. You can also experiment with increasing peyote stitch to make a ruffled edge bracelet. For more unique embellishments, try stitching on some antique buttons or use a button and bead loop for your clasp. Tubular herringbone stitch makes a substantially textured rope. You can vary the look considerably by the size, types, and colors of beads. Twisted tubular herringbone takes a little longer to do than a flat stitch, but makes a slim and elegant textured rope for a bracelet. Attach your favorite clasp for an easy bracelet or attach a set of your favorite themed charms for a more personal statement like in the beachcomber twisted herringbone bracelet. Or try a double version of St. Petersburg Chain and use a small (3 mm or 4 mm) gemstone bead as your center bead. Be sure to experiment with different kinds of shaped beads to turn a plain beaded rope into something with lots of pizazz. Chevron stitch, also called zig-zag chain, is a variation of netting that makes a great bracelet. You can also use tubular netting to make a netted tube bead to slide on a chain bracelet or to cover a bangle from a craft store. If you can’t find a plain bangle bracelet, use a length of flexible plastic tubing and finish it with a set of bead caps and your favorite clasp. To start a basic fringe bracelet, string a single strand of large seed beads (size 8 or 6), and fasten a clasp to either end. Then start a new thread at one end of the strand and work as many lengths of fringe as you want until you reach the other end! It’s a great way to use up leftover beads and you can make it as thick and fringe-y as you want.
