Beading Market
Shop for beadwork made by your fellow beaders at the 3Dbeading.com Beading Market!
Welcome to the beaded sun circle bracelet pattern instructions! If you have any difficulty following this tutorial, please post a comment at the bottom of the page, and I'll do my best to help!
Step 6:This step just shows you how to start the next sun circle of the bracelet. From that point onwards, it's exactly like the first process, so start back at step 1 after finishing this step and keep looping until the bracelet is done (you won't even have to look by the end of the bracelet ... but come back for steps 5 and 6 for closing the bracelet using either elastic string or thread and clasp). Basically, bead 22 is like bead 1 for the next sun circle unit, which is why I've added the label "1" to it. Simply string beads 2, 3, and 4 of the next sun circle and then go up to step 1 to continue the exact same way as before! (except of course, start at bead 4 of step 1, not bead 1! and don't remake the clasp loop!!)
Step 7:If you are using the clasp and thread or fishing line method of beading this bracelet, then follow this step. Otherwise, if using elastic string, proceed to step 6, which will teach you how to close the bracelet using elastic string. To make the clasp, find a bead that fits perfectly through your seed bead loop that you created in step 1. I have shown diagrammatically how well it should fit through the seed bead loop you created in step 1. I should mention that I am showing both sides of the clasp in one diagram for clarity, and in reality there will be multiple sun circles between both ends of the clasp!! (for me, there are 7). I should also mention that in my sun circle bracelet, I made multiple loops for closing the clasp because I tend to gain and lose weight a lot so I want it to always fit me. But you can just make one loop for yourself, unless you are planning to sell the bracelet or something. But then you might want to think about using elastic string to make the bracelet. Anyways, I digress.
At the bottom of my beading diagram, you can see the bead in the loop. But it's not really floating there, I only drew it there so you could see what it would look like looped through the clasp loop! Really, you will be attaching this bead to the other end of the bracelet (shown at the top of the diagram in this step.). I didn't number the beads, but it should be clear (hopefully!) from the arrows how to add the clasp. From bead 22, where you should be leaving off from your final bead circle, string about 14 beads (but exact number can vary... depends on how much room you still need to close the bracelet around your wrist) onto the blue string. Yes, I've changed colors again, LOL! Anyways, don't add the large bead in this step. Simply string all 14 beads onto this string and loop right back through bead 22 with the thread. If you find that this is too few or too many bead to close the bracelet around your wrist, then unstring and add more beads or take some out. Anyways, once this is done, take the yellow string and thread it through the first 7 beads that were added onto the blue string. Then, add the large bead that will go through the clasp loop. Then, proceed to string through the remaining 7 beads that were threaded onto the blue string. Loop back through bead 22. Go through some more random beads, tie some knots, cut the strings, and you're ready to wear the bracelet.
Step 8:Just for you rebels using elastic string, I've made this diagram to show you how to close the bracelet you've made. (and you thought I'd leave you high and dry!). In this diagram, the bottom bead circle is the final sun circle that you've beaded onto the bracelet. The top bead circle in the diagram is the first sun circle of the bracelet, which was done in step 1 of these pattern instructions (page 2). This is why the top sun circle is fully beaded, while the bottom one is in the process of being beaded. And this is very important because you must make the connection before finishing off the last bead circle!!! If you already finish the bead circle, you will find that your two ends don't fit together like a gigsaw puzzle and you have too many beads. So, in the process of beading the final bead circle, when you get to the position of bead 22 on your final bead circle, don't add a new bead! Rather, string through bead 1 of the first sun bead circle of the bracelet. Pull all the way tight so the sun circle bracelet is now a complete loop. Then, continue beading beads 24, 26, and 30 (new beads) onto your final bead circle. Then string all the small brown seed beads in between the large yellow ones all around the circle. Then you're done and just tie off the strings and cut them short. Yay!!
