alt=""/>
Using Elastic Cord
Some may think that using elastic cord to make jewelry pieces is too simplistic, but with beautiful beads, quality components, a few technical tricks, and inspiration, anyone can achieve spectacular results, and all with minimal effort and time!
Basic technique for using elastic cord
Tie a slipknot at one end of elastic cord to keep beads from falling off before you’re ready to tie off. Thread your beads in the desired order. Tie ends together in a surgeon’s knot. If the hole in a bead on either side of the knot is large enough, thread one tail of surgeon’s knot back through that bead and pull gently until knot pops into bead.
Hints & tips
• Elastic cord comes in several different thicknesses Generally, the thicker it is, the stronger it is. Choose the one that works best for the beads you’re using and for the sort of wear the bracelet will be exposed to.
• If you find that the cord is a tight fit with the bead holes, try cutting the end of cord at an angle.
• If the cord is the right thickness but won’t pass through the bead, try using a bead reamer to clear away any blockages inside the bead (but be careful not to break it).
• When pulling to tighten the knot, don’t just pull on the two tails of cord. Pull also on the inner strands.
• Use clear nail polish/varnish to seal and secure the knot.
Tying a slipknot
1 Form a loop.
2 Reach through the loop and take the short end by the middle, pulling it through in a loop.
3 Gently tug the loop until the knot tightens. You don’t need this knot to be too tight. To undo, gently pull the tail.
Tying a surgeon’s knot
This is the best knot when tying off stretchy cord.
1 Cross left end of cord over right end of cord, bring around once, then twice and pull.
2 Cross right end of cord over left end of cord and pull tight until knot catches.
3 Glue knot to seal and secure.
Marbled Splendor
These beads seem to combine the look of turquoise and aged brass, which can be seen in many lovely styles from Nepal and Tibet.
You will need…
5 28x18mm acrylic barrel beads with turquoise marbled finish
5 10mm matte black onyx rondelle beads
10 6mm antiqued gold-color metal rondelle spacer beads
12 inches (30 cm).8mm clear elastic cord
All you do is…
Tie a slipknot on one end of the cord.
1 Tie a slipknot on one end of the cord.
2 Thread beads in the following pattern and repeat 5 times:
1 6mm gold metal rondelle bead
1 10mm black onyx bead
1 6mm gold metal rondelle bead
1 marbled barrel bead
3 Pull out slipknot, tie a surgeon’s knot, and glue. Thread one tail of cord back through marbled barrel bead and pull until knot pops into bead. Trim excess cord.
Cinnabar Magic
For centuries the Chinese mixed the mineral cinnabar with lacquer in the making of all sorts of decorative and practical objects. Cinnabar is toxic and no longer in use, but the look is simulated though the use of polymers and resins, so we can still enjoy these prettily carved beads and pendants.
You will need…
7 17mm carved flat round red cinnabar beads
18 inches (45 cm) black curb chain (10x6mm links —approx. 15 links/10 cm)
12 inches (30 cm).8mm black elastic cord
All you do is…
1 Form a slipknot at one end of the cord.
2 Cut black chain into 7 lengths of 10 links.
3 Thread on 1 flat red bead. Thread on 10 links of black chain by weaving the cord in through one link and out the other.
4 Repeat step 3 until all chain and beads are used.
5 Pull out slipknot, tie a surgeon’s knot, and glue. When dry, trim excess cord.
Turquoise Cuff
Turquoise comes in many hues, from the bright sky blue we usually associate with this stone to greenish, even yellowish, tones. It’s a favorite in the jewelry of China, Tibet, India and other parts of the East.
You will need…
17 5x30mm turquoise 2-hole slider beads
34 5x4mm antiqued silver metal beads
24 inches (61 cm).8mm clear elastic cord
All you do is…
1 Cut the cord into 2 12-inch (30.5 cm) pieces. Tie a slipknot at one end of each.
2 Thread one cord through the top hole of a turquoise slider then through a silver metal bead. Continue threading through the top hole of turquoise beads with a silver bead between each.
3 Pull out slipknot, tie a surgeon’s knot, and glue.
4 Thread one tail of cord back through the silver metal bead and
