Elastic bead bracelet: make (or repair) in 15 minutes
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Time to read 3 min
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Time to read 3 min
The perfect project to get started! Choose your natural stones, add a metal touch if you want, and learn the solid knot that lasts over time. Ideal for (re)making a broken bracelet.
VIDEO at the bottom of the page.
Natural beads (4–6–8 mm recommended) See our Natural beads
Option metal beads / spacersSee our Metal beads
Elastic thread 0.5–0.6 mm See the elastic threads
Jewelry glue See the tools
Measure the wrist
Measure as closely as possible, add 1–1.5 cm for comfort/ease.
Cut & pre-stretch the elastic
Cut ~30 cm. Pre-stretch gently to limit slack.
String the beads
Alternate stones/metal if desired. Check the visual balance. Finish with a bead with a large enough hole to hide the knot.
Make the knot
Surgeon’s knot (double loop) or triple tightly. Or fold the thread in half, the knot is made in the loop of the thread. (see diagrams below)
Secure
Micro-drop of glue on the knot. Let it dry for 2–3 min.
Hide the knot
Slide the knot into a large hole bead. Cut the excess thread beforehand.
Tips :
For stones 10 mm or larger, switch to 0.8–1 mm if the drilling allows. You can also double the thread for better strength.
If the drilling is tight, use a thinner needle or thread.
Avoid water/chlorine/cosmetics to preserve elastic & finishes
Essential threads
Metal beads
by Kevin
Kevin co-founder of Perles Corner & creator of the Jewelry Tutorials. After a first life as a professional dancer and then stylist (ready-to-wear and stage costumes), Kevin puts his passion for DIY at the service of jewelry making. A trendsetter and lover of materials, he especially enjoys sharing. Author of two books on jewelry creation, he imagined and set up the Perles Corner Paris shop, designed its display windows, and launched jewelry workshops in 2015. On a daily basis, he advises, supports, and creates pieces where technique and poetry meet so that everyone leaves with a piece of jewelry that resembles them.
The most common: 0.4–0.5 mm for stone beads 4–6–8 mm. Adjust to the drilling of the bead: if the hole is wide, go up to 0.8–1.0 mm; if it is tight or of normal size, keep 0.4–0.5 mm.
Measure your wrist + 1–1.5 cm of comfort, then cut about 30 cm of elastic to be comfortable when tying.
The surgical knot (doubled) or a triple knot tightly secured. Add a micro-drop of glue and let dry for 2–3 min.
Yes, gently pre-stretch the elastic before stringing to limit loosening over time.
Slide the knot into a large hole bead or under a knot cover. Cut the excess flush once the glue is dry.
Redo the knot: pre-stretch the elastic, tighten gradually, glue (micro-drop) then hide the knot. If the beads are heavy, consider replacing with a nylon thread + crimp beads.
Avoid water (sea/pool/shower) and repeated cosmetics: this wears out the elastic and dulls the finishes.
The UHU Max repair glue. Apply a micro-drop, let it dry for 2–3 min before cutting the excess and hiding the knot.
The double thread improves hold on heavy beads/abrasive drilling edges. For light beads, a well-tied single thread is sufficient.
Glue a ribbon to the wrist (without tightening), add 1–1.5 cm for comfort.
Yes: use a well-closed ring or a light bail to avoid overloading the elastic.
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