RED HAT EXTRAVAGANZA GONE WILD
A twist on the Amy's Gone Wild bracelet, this version is perfect for a Red Hat lady who likes something no one else has! Adjust the number of dangles and spacer beads for a larger or smaller bracelet.
Level: Medium
Materials
Assorted red and purple beads in glass, crystal, gemstone
2" sterling head pins (81-90)
6mm Czech firepolish red and purple beads (25-30) - available at Rings N Things
.5mm Stretch Magic
Make 81-90 dangles, depending on the finished length of your bracelet. Any left over dangles can be used to make earrings or use in another project. String a bead on a head pin. Make a wrapped loop to finish the dangle. For any beads that are top-drilled, use a wrapped briolette technique to create the dangle. Repeat until you have made all dangles.
Tip: I divide out my dangles as I make them into groups of three to ensure I have a good mix of colors, shapes and sizes in each grouping. For the Red Hat bracelet, I wanted to be sure I had a good mix of both red and purple in each group of three.
String on the Stretch Magic (Tip: I leave the Stretch Magic on the spool until I'm done stringing. This prevents the beads from falling off the end, and allows me to leave sufficient tail a the end of the bracelet for knotting) in the following order: 1 Czech bead, 3 dangles. Repeat until all crystals and dangles are strung on the Stretch Magic.
At this point, I tie a single knot and test the length of the bracelet on my wrist before cutting off and knotting.
Leave a 3" tail on the end of the Stretch Magic, and cut off the spool, leaving another 3" tail at the end closest to the spool. Tie ends together, using at least 4 knots. Further secure with a dab of glue or clear nail polish if desired. (Tip: Slightly stretch out your bracelet so no beads or dangles touch the knot. Put a drop of glue or nail polish directly on the knot, and continue holding the bracelet stretched out until completely dry) Test the knot by gently pulling the bracelet out near the knot. If it's secure, clip the excess ends close to the knot. Hide the knot by pulling into the series of dangles nearest to it.
