The Latest: Boho Stackables, Gemstones, and Day of the Dead

Last week I worked on mostly boho gypsy and hippie bracelets. I love working with seed beads of all sizes and stackable bracelets are a fun way to work with them. Bohemian stackables are in fashion for the fall and they are a lot of fun layered with other bracelets. I made a few gemstone stackables and stretch bracelets that would layer nicely with the boho hippie bracelet sets.

Day of the Dead 2015 is coming up on November 1st, and I have started to make a few sugar skull and Dia de los Muertos bracelets. I love Day of the Dead art and festivals. I love skulls too for that matter... An odd fascination of mine.

Above are my latest creations. I hope you found some inspiration or a new bracelet that you love!

DiY Halloween Stretch Bracelets

I love skulls. I have ever since I was a teenager.  My living room is full of skulls. Some people would probably find it a little creepy.

Nonetheless, I am always on the lookout for skull beads, and Halloween is a great time to get spooky character beads like skulls. This weekend I made some really cute stackable stretch skull bracelets.

These are great for Halloween, Day of the Dead, or just skull lovers, and they are super easy to make.

What you will need for this project:

• 0.7mm Magic Stretch Elastic Cord
• 4mm Matte Black Miyuki Cube Beads
• 8mm Black Lava Rock Beads
• Ox Bone Skull Beads
• Scissors
• Jewelry glue or fast-drying super glue
• Measuring tape (or you can just use your wrist to measure if the bracelet is for you!)

How many beads you will use will depend on the size of the skull beads you use, and what length you make your bracelet.  To make a 7 inch bracelet I used 40 Miyuki cube beads, 1 lava rock bead, and 2 skull beads.  The skull beads I used were white ox bone, and roughly 8x10mm.

      

Directions, step-by-step:

• Cut your elastic cord two or three inches longer than your desired.  You will need a little extra cord to tie a knot at the end of your piece.
• Start stringing your beads by placing one skull bead, one lava bead, and the other skull bead.
• Continue stringing the bracelet with matte black 4mm Miyuki cube beads until you reach your desired length.
• Once you have reached your desired length tie a tight knot once, then twice, maybe even three times (I tied three knots). 
• Your new knot now should rest between your last Miyuki bead and first skull bead.  Gently separate the beads to expose the knot.  Use a small dab of glue on the knot to insure it stays secure.  I used GS hypo cement glue.
• Let the glue dry enough that it is tacky, and cut the excess strands. 
• Pull the knot into the middle of a bead to hide it.  I hide the knot in the middle of my skull bead, but the Miyuki beads have a large enough hole so that a knot can be hidden within these beads as well.

Notes about this project:

Let your bracelet dry for at least 24 hours before wearing.  Using glue adds some extra security to the knots, but is not necessary if you don't have any.  However, be aware if you don't use glue, and you don't tie your knot EXTREMELY TIGHT the knot will eventually come loose.

I highly recommend using Stretch Magic elastic.  Stretch Magic can be purchased on Amazon.com for less than I have seen in Michael's Craft Stores.  Stretch Magic can be more expensive than other elastic cords on the market, but in my experience Stretch Magic brand lasts longer than most elastic.  I am wearing a bracelet I made four years ago with Stretch Magic right now.  It's awesome stuff and I highly recommend investing in this if you want to make stretch bracelets.

Elastic is extremely durable and stretchy which can make tying the knots difficult.  My advice for tying your knots is to always pull harder than you think you will need to.  The first knot will have to be held tight as you tie your second knot.  The second knot secures the first knot so you will always need to do at least a double knot.

Now you have a beautiful set of stretch skull bracelets for your Halloween or Day of the Dead party.  How awesome is that?  Happy Halloween!