Beads are strung on leather cord to create African beaded bracelets.
African beaded bracelets are simple yet attractive pieces of jewelry. The multistrand beaded bracelets and necklaces are made by stringing white heart beads (beads that are colored on the outside, but are white inside) onto lengths of camel leather. You might not have access to camel leather, and maybe the beads at your local craft store are solid in color or even clear, but you can still create the eye-catching West African jewelry. You'll make a cultural and fashion statement at the same time.
Instructions
1. Cut the leather cord into 9-inch lengths using the ruler to measure and the scissors to cut. You will have six lengths of cord.
2. Gather the cords together, lining up the ends of one side, and secure them together by tying a knot at the end.
3. Tie a knot in one of the cords about a half an inch from the large knot holding all the cords together.
4. String a bead onto the cord and slide it down to the knot, then tie another knot so that the bead is held in place by the two knots. Continue placing beads at intervals in this same manner, going no closer than 1 1/2 inches from the free end of the cord.
5. String beads onto the other five cords using the knotting technique that you used for the first cord. Don't align all the beads and knots. The bracelet will look more authentic if the placement of beads is random in each cord.
6. Gather the free ends of the cords together and trim them with the scissors so that they're even.
7. Fold the free ends over to form a 1/2-inch loop. Secure the loop in place by wrapping the jeweler's wire around the ends and then twisting the wire to hold it in place. Trim the wire with the wire cutters.
8. Place the bracelet around your wrist, securing it in place by pulling the knot on one end through the loop on the other end.
