Beading the "Bead World" Way: DNA Spiral Bracelet

DNA Spiral Bracelet

Our DNA Spiral Bracelet pattern is one of the quickest, easiest stitches to learn -- perfect for the beginner and fun enough for a stitching expert! Have fun!

Required Materials:

Size 6 seed beads (core) 10 grams

Size 6 seed beads (spiral pattern) 10 grams

Size 11 seed beads (3 grams)

4mm Swarovski crystal bicones (50)

Silver plated end beads (2)

Silver plated closed jump rings (2)

Silver plated s hook (2)

Nymo thread

Size 10 needle

Scissors

Wax or Thread Heaven

Instructions:

1. Begin with approximately 5 or 6 feet of Nymo thread. Stretch the entire length of thread and condition it with Thread Heaven or bees wax. Set up your beads as shown below right. Your core size 6 seed beads in the top left hand corner (yellow here) and your five bead pattern across your mat: size 11 seed beads, spiral pattern size 6 seed beads, crystals, spiral pattern seed beads and size 11 seed beads.

2. String on four core beads and one bead from each pile of your five bead pattern. Slide them down the thread, leaving a 12 inch tail. You will need this thread to attach your clasp later.

3. Circling around, pass the needle back through the four core beads, starting from the tail end.

4. Pull the string tight, forming a loop.

5. Pick up one core seed beads and one bead from each pile of your five bead pattern.

6. Slide the beads down the thread. Circling around, pass the needle back through the four most recent core beads, including the core bead you just added.

7. Pull the string tight, forming a loop. Push the two loops together to the left, and they begin to form a stair-step pattern.

8. String on one core bead and your five bead pattern. Circling around, pass the needle back through the

four most recent core beads, including the core bead you just added.

9. Pull the string tight to form a loop (as shown below left). Push the loops together to the left, and they add to the spiral, or stair-step pattern (as shown below right). It’s important that you position the loops carefully before moving on to the next loop. It’s easy to add loops in the wrong place, which disrupts the spiral pattern.

10. Continue to add beads in this manner until you reach the desired length. Be sure to stop 1 to 1 ½ inches early, to leave room for your end beads and clasp.

11. To add the clasp, string on one core bead, sterling silver end bead, core bead and closed jump ring.

12. Pass the needle back down through the seed bead, silver bead, seed bead and down into the core beads. Pull the thread tight, forming a loop around the closed jump ring. Tie several knots between the core beads.

13. Pass the needle back up through the core beads, making another loop around the jump ring (as shown below right). Pass the needle back down through the core beads and tie more knots. Continue looping through the jump ring and tying off until the hook is very secure. Cut off any excess thread. Add an S hook to the closed jump ring.