How to Turn Old Amber into a Stunning Wrap Bracelet
Supply List for a Wrap Bracelet
You will need:
- Old amber necklaces
- Leather cord (round works much better than square)
- A button
- Waxed thread/polycord that’s thin enough to thread through the beads
- A sewing needle
- Additional beads for contrast and/or length (optional)
The amount of leather cord and thread that you need will vary based on how many times you want the bracelet to wrap your wrist. I used the lengths suggested by the Lima Beads website (there is also a video tutorial of the ladder stitch if you find my instructions aren’t clear enough):
| Number of Wraps | Leather Cord | Waxed thread | Bracelet Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 inches | 7-8 feet | 7.5 inches |
| 2 | 45 inches | 14-16 feet | 15 inches |
| 3 | 60 inches | 21-24 feet | 22.5 inches |
| 4 | 75 inches | 28-32 feet | 30 inches |
| 5 | 90 inches | 35-40 feet | 37.5 inches |
It really helps to measure your own wrist first though. I chose the length for two wraps and I was able to wrap the bracelet around my wrist three times. However, my wrists are about as thick as a prepubescent chicken’s leg and if I had measured ahead of time, I would have known that I could choose a smaller length.
To Make An Amber Wrap Bracelet
1. First, thread the leather cord through the button’s holes and pull the button along the cord so it’s in the centre.
3. Secure your thread to the leather cord. I looped mine around the cord a few times, tied it in a knot once or twice, and then snipped off the extra bit. A lot of the tutorials I read recommended adding a dab of glue here, but I don’t have any so I skipped this part. No word yet on whether that was wise or not.
4. Next, you’ll need to find a way to secure your project so that the button end stays put and the cords aren’t slack. I originally used a clipboard to hold the button down but the leather cords moved around too much. Then, after many long nights, I discovered that I could wedge a button in my laundry hamper and hold the cords taut under my foot. It worked perfectly – the only thing is that your hamper can’t be empty or it will slide towards you as you pull against it. That’s not a problem in this house. I’m not even sure what an empty hamper looks like. FYI: I totally photoshopped the dirt off of my floor. Bwahahaha.
IT’S TIME TO ADD THE BEADS!
