For the final phase of my bracelet, I created a rectangular paper template and placed it underneath my beadwork so I could see which areas needed to be built up. You can make a flowing organic shape that does not have straight edges, if you’d like. Use your imagination to draw any shape template to use as a guide.
Now it’s time to create my clasp. Because my bracelet is wide, I’ve decided to place 4 medium size pearls along the left edge to see how they would look.
I like the look so I go ahead and sew them on one at a time, being careful of the spacing as I bead.
Once they’re all placed on my bracelet, I reinforce them by running the thread back through each pearl. This is an important step to make sure they are securely fastened. You can even go through the beads a third time if the holes in your “buttons” allow it. Switching to a thinner needle can help in this process. Now it’s time to add loops to the other side.
As I add my loops, I peyote stitch between them and check the spacing against the pearls on the other side.
I peyote stitch around the loops to strengthen them and also because I like the look.
My free-form bracelet is complete!
Time to choose a new color palette…
Art and Tea 
OMG that’s amazing. The colors are very festive and either autumn- or Christmas-like.
Wow -that is just fantastic! That would be a bracelet that I could wear with every single thing I own!
Thanks Amanda! I guess when I started this colorway, I was thinking of the more muted palette of the coming fall.
Steph, you’re so kind! Thanks!
What a fantastic bracelet! I really enjoyed seeing the progression of this piece.
Karen, I love the finished bracelet! Thank you for sharing your process.
I’ve never done beading – your bracelet is fantastic, I love it! Looks like it’s time consuming but well worth it.
take care,
patti
Thanks Kim, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Libby, you’ve very welcome!
Thanks Patti! Yes, it took quite a few hours of beading but I loved every minute. 🙂
That is probably the most beautiful bracelet I’ve ever seen. Just exquisite!
Thank you so much, teeveebee!
Fabulous! Can I be on your Christmas list?
Ruth Ann
Thanks Ruth Ann! Sure. 😉
Hi Karen,
Whoa! The bracelet is stunning. Congratulations on sharing the process and the final piece. I think I hear the Smithsonian calling….
-Amy
Karen… this is jaw dropping beautiful!!! I think that says it all.
Thanks so much for your kind feedback, Amy! I really enjoyed the process and sharing it.
Thanks Judy, you are very kind!
I like the colours you chose! It came out great! 😀
Thanks LB!
Karen, the bracelet burned out amazingly beautiful ! I really like how you made the clasp, it integrates perfectly into the design instead of being an ‘afterthought’. I find ‘engineering’ and attaching clasps to be the most difficult aspect of beadwork. By the time I finish a piece and it’s time to add the clasp, I just want to move on to the next project, so I get very impatient !
Ooops, I meant ‘turned out’, not ‘burned out’, LOL !!!! I’ve had a bad cold, so my mind is not functioning too well !
Thanks Dora, I’m glad you like it! I know exactly what you mean. The clasp is an important design element in the piece and it took me a long time to understand that. Like you, I got impatient at the end of the project so I would slap something on that was functional, not thinking of the design impact. Now I do. 🙂
I absolutely LOVE this bracelet! So colorful and fun…and what a great clasp style too. Fantastic!!
Thanks for your kind feedback, Jojo!
I have just come across this during an image search, it’s very inspiring. I have a large pot of beads that are leftovers, a bit mis-shapen or that I have dropped around. This is a perfect way to use them all up. thanks.