An affordable and fun craft item to make as a Valentine’s gift for that special man in your life is an adjustable bead bracelet. What makes this masculine is the type of beads used. Look for metal recycled beads and help the environment. One common recycled metal bead is a “Nickel Silver” bead made by the people of an African tribe called the Tuareg. These beads are forged by hand and made from recycled scrap metal including silver, nickel, copper, brass and bronze. The metal is melted down and forged into the different sized beads making them all one-of-a-kind. The Truareg beads are sold in several sizes and are easily found on the Internet.
Supplies:
3, Taureg beads – one small and two medium
Round leather cording or strapping
Tape measure
Scissors
Heavy fabric glue
Instructions:
Step 1 – Measure and cut a piece of round leather cording or strapping 11- to 13-inches long. The length may need to be adjusted for a man with a very large wrist. A 11-inch length will accommodate most men’s wrists. Measure and cut a second piece of cording approximately 10-inches long. A typical man’s wrist is 9-inches around. The extra cording is needed to create the knots and the overlap.
Step 2 – Slide the three Taureg beads on the 11- or 13-inch piece of cording or strapping. Make sure to put the small bead in the center.
Step 3 – Tie a knot approximately one-quarter inch from each end.
Step 4 – Turn the bracelet so it is on a vertical axis. Place it on a flat work surface.
Step 5 – Place the 12-inch long piece of cording or strapping on a horizontal axis across the center of the bracelet. This piece of cord is used as the knotting cord.
Step 6 – Bring the top knot down and place it 2-inches below the horizontal piece of cording or strapping.
Step 7 – Bring the bottom knot up and place it 2-inches above the horizontal piece of cording or strapping.
Step 8 – Tie a square knot over the vertical overlapped bracelet pieces. Repeat the process for a total of four square knots.
Step 9 -Squeeze a dot of heavy fabric glue on each side of the knotting cord. Allow the glue to dry completely. This may take up to two hours.
Step 10 – Cut the knotting cord flush with the knot. Squeeze a dot of heavy fabric glue on the cut ends. Allow the glue to dry completely.
Note: The Tuerag beads have high nickel content. This may cause an allergic reaction in some people. The tarnish on the beads is created by oxidation and the oil in a person’s skin. This is normal and creates an antiqued finish to the newly finished bracelet.